National Park Service Ordered to Take New Look at E-Bike Rule

The National Park Service’s rule that opened the parks system to e-bikes needs further environmental review, but tossing the rule isn’t warranted, a Washington, D.C., federal judge decided in a partial win for conservation groups.

Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility and others challenged a policy directive and a final rule by the agency allowing e-bikes to be used in a similar way as traditional bicycles.

The policy directive issued in 2019 said e-bikes were allowed where traditional bikes were allowed. The final rule, issued in 2020, said e-bikes were allowed on park roads, trails, and parking areas that are open ...