E-bikes approved for OKC’s trails, parks
New regulations for electric-assisted bikes allow for riders to cruise through Oklahoma City’s parks and trails after approval from the City Council.
Previously, “e-bikes” were identified somewhere between a bicycle and a motorized vehicle, but the city’s additional guidance makes the distinction clear and divides the bikes themselves into three different classes that were outlined by the state Legislature in 2019.
“There had been a rule of no motorized vehicles. Of course that was done before e-bikes, before the word was even invented,” said Hal McKnight, chair of the Oklahoma City Trails Advisory Committee, about trail usage.
With House Bill 1265, the Legislature classified e-bikes while allowing for municipalities to determine where they can and can’t go.
Class 1 e-bikes, which provide motor assistance while pedaling and top out at 20 mph, are now permitted on multi-use and natural trails.
Class 3 e-bikes reach a top speed of 28 MPH, while Class 2 e-bikes can be powered solely by a motor, which governs out at 20 MPH. These two classes are allowed only on multi-use trails and city streets.
OKC Parks Interim Director Melinda McMillan-Miller said e-bikes are using local trails more frequently as more people, particularly seniors, buy and ride the power-assisted bikes.
“Many cycling advocates reached out to city leaders requesting the city ordinances be updated to reflect state changes,” McMillan-Miller said. “The new ordinance makes clear which types of e-bikes are safe and legal to use on the different trails, which help keep our trails safe, accessible, and fun for everybody’s enjoyment.”
A benefit of allowing e-bikes on the trails is that it does not stop partners of different skill sets from riding together, McKnight said.
“A lot of citizens were strong proponents of that. There’s couples that use them. One will be on a regular bicycle and one will be on an e-bike, and that allows them to ride together,” McKnight said.
Maryjo Meachem, owner of an e-bike and a fan of the trails, says the change will allow her to keep up with her partner and avoid feeling as though she is breaking the rules.
“I don’t have a fear of not being able to get up a hill or going for 40 or 50 miles,” Meachem said. “I think it’s great for people like me that would never be able to get up to speed with my partner.”
“One of the good things about this ordinance is it removes the kind of uneasiness as the bike was not totally legal,” said Russell Pace, member of the Trails and Sidewalks Subcommittee for MAPS 3 and Meachem’s partner.
Signage and mile markers, funded by the 2017 tax and bond initiative Better Streets, Safer City, are being made to guide trail users and will be put into use in the near future, McKnight said.
With new traffic on the trails comes a reminder for people to be cognizant of their surroundings and to keep an eye out for various different ways of getting around on the trail. Violations of the new biking ordinance are considered a “class A” offense subject to a fine of up to $500.
“They tend to ride a little more aggressively and a little more carefree because they haven’t crashed yet,” said Pace, about e-bikes and new riders in general. “There’s a little bit of frustration with the etiquette of some bike users, but that’s not really a concern and does not apply to just e-bikes.”