Watch For E-Bike Restrictions As New Rules Take Effect

If you see “No Motorized Vehicles” signs in northeastern Utah be sure to heed them. Utah Division of Wildlife Resources conservation officers remind the public that new e-bike rules have officially taken effect as of November 7th. The new rule states that electronic bikes are now illegal off-road on all wildlife and waterfowl management areas in Utah. Specifically, Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes are now classified as “motorized vehicles” by rule, so motorized vehicle restrictions on wildlife or waterfowl management areas now apply to these classes of e-bikes as well. This means that e-bikes are prohibited from leaving roads open to motorized vehicles on all waterfowl and wildlife management areas. These restrictions are often publicized with signs in areas of the WMAs. “E-bike use, as a recreational activity, has increased dramatically in the past five to 10 years,” DWR Captain Chad Bettridge. “As a result, we are seeing increased use on our waterfowl and wildlife management areas. In areas where there is a lot of e-bike use, noteable habitat damage is occurring. These new rules will help to preserve these properties for their intended use, which is for wildlife and their long-term benefit and health.”