{"id":2029917,"date":"2026-07-06T18:52:29","date_gmt":"2026-07-06T15:52:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2029917"},"modified":"2026-07-06T18:52:29","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T15:52:29","slug":"maryland-now-allows-class-1-e-bikes-on-select-mtb-trails-at-popular-state-parks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/analyse.optim.biz\/?p=2029917","title":{"rendered":"Maryland now allows Class 1 e-bikes on select MTB trails at popular state parks"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Photo courtesy Maryland DNR<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

We can now add Maryland\u2019s state parks to the growing list<\/a> of trail systems that allow Class 1 e-bike access. In a post on the state\u2019s website<\/a>, Maryland announced that the \u201cMaryland Department of Natural Resources has approved new regulations to allow some pedal-assist e-bikes on multi-use trails on public lands across the state.\u201d<\/p>\n

E-bike approval was officially added to the Maryland Register in May, but didn\u2019t take effect until July 1. According to a release, \u201cThe Maryland Department of Natural Resources received more than 60 public comments on the proposed regulation. Roughly 87% supported the proposed operational rules.\u201d<\/p>\n

The announcement goes on to specify which types of bikes are approved for the state\u2019s trail systems. \u201cUnder the new regulations, Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes \u2014 those that provide motorized assistance up to 20 miles per hour \u2014 are cleared for use on public lands.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Maryland doesn\u2019t want any confusion about what is and isn\u2019t an e-bike<\/a> in its trail systems. An assist limit of 20 MPH is specified, and throttles are banned, meaning the motor can only assist a rider while they are pedaling. However, we couldn\u2019t find any mention of power output when digging through the information provided online.\u00a0<\/p>\n

According to Maryland, the reason for allowing Class 1 e-bike access was twofold. First, the state recognizes the growing user base and wants to provide more access for e-bike riders looking to enjoy the state\u2019s trails. Secondly, they want to boost access for riders using adaptive bikes, another growing group of trail users.<\/p>\n

In a statement about the new regulations, Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz said:\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re excited to formally welcome e-bikes to public trails throughout Maryland\u2019s state park system and public lands. These new regulations will allow more people to respectfully explore the state\u2019s beautiful natural scenery while ensuring their e-bikes travel at safe speeds that enable them to yield to more vulnerable trail users such as hikers, horseback riders, and mountain bikers.\u201d<\/p>\n

Among the list of parks open to e-bikes is the Margraff Plantation trails<\/a>, which we covered nearly a year ago. At the time of coverage, six miles of new trails had just been added, with a two-mile trail designed with adaptive riders in mind. Now, the entire 10-mile trail network is open to pedal-assisted machines.<\/p>\n

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Additional trail systems in Maryland that now allow e-bikes include a mix of natural-surface trails and paved paths. Note that not all bike trails on state lands may be open to e-bikes; this map<\/a> shows trails that are said to be \u201ce-bike friendly trails.\u201d<\/p>\n