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.”
