Photo courtesy Maryland DNR

We can now add Maryland’s state parks to the growing list of trail systems that allow Class 1 e-bike access. In a post on the state’s website, Maryland announced that the “Maryland 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.”

E-bike approval was officially added to the Maryland Register in May, but didn’t take effect until July 1. According to a release, “The Maryland Department of Natural Resources received more than 60 public comments on the proposed regulation. Roughly 87% supported the proposed operational rules.”

The announcement goes on to specify which types of bikes are approved for the state’s trail systems. “Under the new regulations, Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes — those that provide motorized assistance up to 20 miles per hour — are cleared for use on public lands.”

Maryland doesn’t want any confusion about what is and isn’t an e-bike 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’t find any mention of power output when digging through the information provided online. 

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’s trails. Secondly, they want to boost access for riders using adaptive bikes, another growing group of trail users.

In a statement about the new regulations, Department of Natural Resources Secretary Josh Kurtz said: 

“We’re excited to formally welcome e-bikes to public trails throughout Maryland’s state park system and public lands. These new regulations will allow more people to respectfully explore the state’s 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.”

Among the list of parks open to e-bikes is the Margraff Plantation trails, 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.

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 shows trails that are said to be “e-bike friendly trails.”

• Patapsco Valley State Park (Tall Poplar Trail)
• Susquehanna State Park (Susquehanna Greenway)
• Savage River State Forest (Meadow Mountain Trail and Poplar Lick Trail)
• Deep Creek Lake State Park 
• Western MD Trail
• Rocky Gap State Park (Bear Ridge area)
• Seneca Creek State Park 
• Merkle Natural Resources Management Area
• Cedarville State Forest
• Salem State Forest
• St. Mary’s River State Park (Lake Loop)
• Palmer State Park
• Fair Hill Natural Resources Management Area
• Tuckahoe State Park (Anna’s Trail)
• Pocomoke State Forest (Blades Hudson-Tarr Bike Road)
• Gunpowder Falls State Park (NCR Trail)

Maryland still welcomes the use of Class 2 and 3 e-bikes, and e-motos, but only in appropriate areas with motorized trails. Those caught violating the new regulations could get hit with a $500 fine or spend up to a year in jail.