Juneau proposes allowing only Class 1 e-bikes on city parks and trails

Juneau riders using throttle-assist or higher-powered e-bikes would lose access to the city's nonmotorized trails under a proposed ordinance the City and Borough of Juneau Parks and Recreation Department is bringing to the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee on July 7 at 5:30 p.m. in Assembly Chambers and by Zoom.

The draft ordinance would allow only Class 1 e-bikes on trails currently open to conventional bicycles. Class 1 models provide pedal-assist propulsion only and cut off motor assistance at 20 mph. All other electric or motorized bicycles, including throttle-assist models and e-motos, would be prohibited in CBJ parks and trails closed to motorized use. Violations would be classified as an infraction carrying a $25 civil fine. The ordinance would create a new code section and amend the civil fine table to implement the rule.

The proposal fills a gap left by the Alaska Legislature. A statewide e-bike classification framework never took effect after the governor vetoed House Bill 8 in July 2023 and a companion measure did not advance, leaving municipalities to set their own rules. The CBJ ordinance would align with Alaska State Parks regulations, which generally prohibit motorized vehicles in areas closed to motorized use.

Parks and Recreation Director Marc Wheeler wrote in his July 3 memo that e-bikes "have gotten much faster in recent years and have the potential to create damage to trails and parks and can create significant public safety hazards." He said the draft follows approaches taken by other municipalities.

The immediate trigger is behavior at two specific sites. Trail Mix Executive Director Meghan Tabacek submitted a letter of support, citing observed damage at Under Thunder Bike Park and Cope Park Pump Track from higher-powered e-bikes riding uphill on downhill-designed courses and warning that trail lifespan will "drastically decrease" under current conditions. Trail Mix is a nonprofit partner that builds and maintains Juneau trails. The Juneau Mountain Bike Alliance is also scheduled to brief the committee on e-moto issues at Under Thunder Bike Park as a separate agenda item.

The committee packet did not include comments from riders who use throttle-assist bikes and would be affected by a Class 1-only rule.

If the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee recommends the ordinance at the July 7 meeting, the suggested motion language would forward it to the full Assembly for consideration and adoption.