MISSOURI (KFVS) – The Missouri Department of Conservation will begin allowing expanded use of bicycles and e-bikes on many of the department’s service roads and multi-use trails beginning Feb. 28.

Depending on the department, several people can use the multi-purpose trails, including horse riders, cyclists and hikers.

Service roads are non-public roads on MDC areas used by personnel for resource management activities. According to the ministry, many service roads are currently used as walking paths by the public.

They noted that the conditions of feeder roads across the departments vary and are not maintained at the level of public use tracks and public roads.

The change in regulations will affect around 300 MDC zones and provide access to over 1,500 additional miles of routes for cyclists. Approximately 30 of these areas will be closed to bicycle and e-bike use during all portions of deer hunting season and spring turkey hunting seasons.

According to the ministry, bicycle use in most of its approximately 1,100 conservation areas is still limited to roads open to public vehicle traffic and some multi-use paths, as the areas do not have service roads. applicable.

Bicycles are not permitted on service roads, departmental lands associated with nature and education centers, hatcheries, staffed trails, offices, designated natural areas where bicycle use could cause damage sensitive habitats and other conservation areas.

Electric bicycles are defined by the MDC as “any two or three-wheeled device equipped with fully functional pedals, a saddle or seat for the rider and an electric motor of not more than 750 watts, which meets to the following three classes:

• Class 1 e-bikes have a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops providing assistance when the bike reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour
• Class 2 e-bikes have a motor that can be used exclusively to propel the bike and is not capable of providing assistance when the bike reaches speeds of 20 miles per hour
• Class 3 e-bikes have a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and stops providing assistance when the bike reaches 28 miles per hour

MDC said cyclists should follow proper trail etiquette, including yielding to pedestrians and equestrians, maintaining a safe speed, staying on designated trails or service roads, and avoiding damaging trails by not riding. not in wet conditions.

For more information on multi-use cycle paths and authorized service roads, visit MDC website. Cycle routes can be searched using the advanced search function. Service roads can be identified by searching for a conservation area and then checking the area’s online map to see if there are any service roads that allow bicycles.

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