Truckee's system of trails and bikeways is growing! And with it, more and more locals and visitors are recreating and commuting on bicycles. E-bikes have made our mountain town's challenging terrain more accessible than ever for all types of users. Whether you're interested taking your e-bike on sweet, flowy singletrack, riding a scenic paved path to shopping, dining, or events, or exploring the vast network of Tahoe National Forest gravel roads, Truckee's got something for everyone. Keep reading to learn all about e-bikes from Allison Pedley, Executive Director of Truckee Trails Foundation, the premier nonprofit that builds, maintains, and advocates for Truckee's trails and bikeways.
Guest article written by Allison Pedley, Truckee Trails Foundation
Why the Trend in E-bikes?
It may be that the increased ease of electric bicycles alone has resulted in the explosion of e-biking in Truckee. For those new to cycling, returning from a lengthy break from the sport, or with physical limitations making traditional cycling difficult, e-bikes remove a substantial hurdle: the large perceived effort of cycling in a mountain town.
Because they require less effort to pedal, e-bikes can also enable spouses and friends with different levels of fitness to ride together at the same speed. Even traditional cyclists may opt to use e-bikes as an environmentally sustainable alternative to automobile travel, where pedal-assist riding allows for an easier commute into town without showing up to the office in need of a shower.
What’s more, the town of Truckee’s commitment to plowing some local bike paths in the wintertime is allowing for year-round commuting opportunities.
Believe it or not, fitness is another reason for the popularity of e-bikes. One study published in the Transportation Research Interdisciplinary Perspectives journal found that people cycle at least twice as much when they own an e-bike, combatting criticism that e-bikes do not contribute to fitness. Riders may not work as hard as regular cyclists, but by biking longer and more frequently (such as commuting), they’re potentially getting more exercise overall.
Types of E-bikes: Class 1, Class 2, Class 3
Anyone new to e-bikes may be understandably confused by the available options, but e-bikes are simply categorized into one of three types: Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3.
Class 1 e-bikes offer “pedal assist” capability that can provide an extra boost when the rider is pedaling. The “assist” kicks off when the rider is coasting and if the bike reaches 20 miles per hour.
Class 2 e-bikes are also limited to a top speed of 20 miles per hour, but they have a throttle that can be engaged to assist with mobility even if not pedaling (note: the throttle wears the battery down much faster than pedal-assist).
Class 3 e-bikes can go up to 28 miles per hour and must have a speedometer, and may or may not have a throttle (though California does not allow throttles on Class 3 e-bikes).
Class 1 e-bikes are currently dominating the market, with city/urban e-bikes more popular than mountain e-bikes, presumably due to the appeal of eco-friendly commuting.
Where to go E-biking in Truckee
Although classes of e-bikes aren’t terribly complicated to understand, knowing where one can ride e-bikes can be more confusing.
Scenic Paved Paths
The 22 miles of scenic paved paths managed by the town of Truckee, such as the Truckee River Legacy Trail and Trout Creek Trail, allow Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 e-bikes.
Tahoe National Forest
In the Tahoe National Forest, all classes of e-bikes are allowed wherever motorized vehicles are allowed, such as Forest Service fire roads and trails open to off-highway vehicles. Additionally, 35 dirt trails (world-class singletrack!) in the Truckee Ranger District of the Tahoe National Forest are now open to Class 1 e-bikes. These include the Big Chief Trail, Commemorative Overland Emigrant Trail, Donkeytown Trail (aka Jackass), and Sawtooth Trail.
Tahoe Donner
Currently, the Tahoe Donner Association only allows Class 1 e-bikes on fire service roads and doubletrack trails.
Donner Memorial State Park
Donner Memorial State Park does not currently allow e-bikes on their trails, but state park roads, including Coldstream Canyon, are open to all classes of e-bikes.
Northstar California
Northstar Bike Park allows Class 1 e-bikes only.
E-bike Sharing Coming to Truckee!
Nationally, another reasons for the surge in e-bike sales is the proliferation of e-bike sharing programs, primarily in urban areas. Often referred to as “gateway drug” for e-bikes, e-bike sharing allows riders to try e-bikes before buying. And many times, once riders try an e-bike, they’re hooked!
As a very positive move towards sustainable micro-mobility in our region, the town of Truckee will be unveiling an e-bike share program in summer 2022. The town is working with BCycle to provide 35 e-bike docking stations that will be strategically located around town, and at least 50 Class 1 e-bikes.
The process will be quite simple: users will purchase a membership with the vendor, go to one of the e-bike stations, pick up a bike, and go! The bike can then be returned where it was picked up, or left at a different station in town.
Another option for anyone interested in trying e-bikes locally is renting. Two local shops with excellent service include Bike Truckee (https://www.truckeebikerentals.com or 530.386.5700) and Donner Lake E-bikes (https://donnerlakeebikes.com or 530-214-8792).
The emergence of e-bikes and e-bike share programs has helped communities create healthier and more environmentally sustainable lifestyles for residents and visitors. All evidence indicates that e-biking will continue to be transformative for the Truckee community as well.
Additionally, Measure R sales tax, which passed in June 2022, will generate approximately $3 million for trails and bikeways annually, making the potential for greatly enhanced opportunities for all modes of bicycling in our region extraordinary!
