Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2012/07/06/2012-16466/vehicles-and-traffic-safety-bicycles
Timestamp: 2016-08-27 15:17:24
Document Index: 558746864

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 1', '§ 4', '§ 4', 'art 4', '§ 4', 'art 4', 'ART 4', '§ 4', '§ 4']

Federal Register | Vehicles and Traffic Safety-Bicycles
Dates: The rule is effective August 6, 2012.
-39938 (12 pages)
Document Number: 2012-16466
Shorter URL: https://federalregister.gov/a/2012-16466 Related Topics
Bicycle Use--NPS Areas Systemwide 2 actions from December 23rd, 2008 to June 2012
The NPS uses NEPA not only as a tool to look at whether to designate an existing trail or build a trail for bicycle use, but also as a guide in the larger aspects of NPS decision-making. Most NEPA requirements are compatible with or identical to requirements for sound management planning. In most cases, NEPA requirements are easily integrated into the planning process, and they provide the information that decision-makers need to make correct choices. Rather than create additional burdens in the planning process, following NEPA requirements should help facilitate prompt and well-informed decision-making. See NPS Handbook for Environmental Impact Analysis, § 1.5B. In some instances, particularly when bicycle trail planning and NEPA compliance is limited in scope, the superintendent's determination may also be integrated with and completed concurrently with the planning and compliance process.
Planning Topics Back to Top
Response: That was not the intent, and in the final rule the NPS has added the phrase “[b]efore [designating a trail for bicycle use] the superintendent must ensure that all of the following requirements [of § 4.30] have been satisfied” to paragraph (d) to clarify that designating bicycle use on existing or new trails will not be permitted unless and until the requirements of 36 CFR 4.30 are met.
Response: The NPS agrees and has made this change. The NPS intended the proposed rule to require completion of the steps in paragraphs (b)(1)-(3) before designation could occur. In the final rule, the NPS has split the requirements of proposed paragraph (b)(3) into (d)(3) and (d)(4)(i), and has added the phrase “[b]efore [designating a trail for bicycle use] the superintendent must ensure that all of the following requirements [of § 4.30] have been satisfied” to paragraph (d) to clarify that bicycle use on existing or new trails will not be permitted unless and until the requirements of 36 CFR 4.30 are met.
Provision regarding administrative roads moved from (d) to (b); superintendent's determination required instead of 36 CFR 1.5 to designate for bicycle use.
Provision regarding existing trails moved from (b) to (d); reference to 36 CFR 1.5 deleted.
Minimum requirements for plan established.
Requires evaluating the effects of bicycle use on specific trail(s); Federal Register notice requirement deleted.
Requirement of superintendent's determination moved from (b)(3).
Introductory text added.
30-day public review and comment of superintendent's determination moved from (b)(3); no significant impact required; and Regional Director must approve determination by superintendent for designation.
Requires statement documenting bicycle use cannot be authorized when there may be significant impacts.
Provision regarding bicycle use on new trails moved from (c) to (e); NPS sustainable trail guidelines required.
Consolidated requirements from (c)(1) and (c)(2)(ii); clarified requirements for constructing new trails in parks' developed areas.
Consolidated requirements from (c)(1) and (c)(2)(i); clarified requirements for constructing new trails outside of parks' developed areas.
Superintendents given separate authority from 36 CFR 1.5 to impose or terminate closures, restrictions or conditions.
Clarified applicability of Part 4 on roads and trails; adds § 4.15 exception.
Consolidates (f) and authority of 36 CFR 4.2 to clarify that state bicycle laws apply.
Clarified that off-road bicycling is prohibited unless authorized; implicit in proposed rule, explicit in existing regulation at 36 CFR 4.30(a).
(h)(2)-(5)
Renumbered as (h)(2)-(5) from (g)(1)-(4); no other changes.
Specifies that violations of state law are prohibited.
List of Subjects in 36 CFR Part 4 Back to Top
PART 4—VEHICLES AND TRAFFIC SAFETY Back to Top
2.Section 4.30 is revised to read as follows: § 4.30 Bicycles.
(g) Other requirements. (1) A person operating a bicycle on any park road, parking area, administrative road or designated trail is subject to all sections of this part that apply to an operator of a motor vehicle, except §§ 4.4, 4.10, 4.11, 4.14, and 4.15.