On April 10 the OC Parks Trails Subcommittee, in response to pressure from e-bikers,
discussed whether Parks staff should investigate the "possibility" of allowing Class 1
bikes only on unpaved park trails. There was a large public turnout, with hikers in the
majority. Fourteen people spoke against the proposal; nine were for it. Of those who
sent emails to the Committee prior to the meeting, nine were against it and three were for
it. The Subcommittee was unable to reach a clear recommendation, and the matter was
sent on to the Parks Commission for them to decide.

On May 1 the Parks Commission met. This time there were many more bikers present,
and our numbers had fallen. The Commission voted in favor of asking the Parks staff "to
investigate the feasibility" of legalizing Class 1 e-bikes on unpaved (i.e. wilderness,
although they never used the word) trails. This does not necessarily mean that they
WILL be legalized.

My analysis: 1) It is difficult to say "no" to a proposal to look into or to explore the
possibility of pretty much anything.  And 2) The vote came after much detailed
discussion of just what would need to be looked into.  Commissioner David Hanson had
properly recused himself from voting as he is the owner of a chain of bike shops that sell
e-bikes, and the other commissioners appeared to take the matter very seriously. There
were some intimations that just any sort of slapdash "investigation" simply would not do.

Their concerns centered on the legal impediments to allowing a vehicle with a motor
to be used for recreation, potential liability issues, the enforcement of new park rules
when the extant rules are unenforceable, and cost of the studying—and possibly
implementing—such a project.

The bottom line is that the staff will make inquiries, look into all the questions that need
to be answered, and return with a report.  I don't expect that to happen right away, but
we'll see.  It will not amount to a full-blown plan of action to be pursued immediately; we
were all assured by Commission Chair David Shawver that they would need to hold a
further vote on what to do with the report itself. Should the Commission decide to pursue
the legalization of Class 1 e-bikes on the parks’ wilderness trails, they must ultimately
refer the matter to the Orange County Board of Supervisors for a decision. There were
various rumblings, from both Commissioners and members of the audience,  about
"transparency" and engaging more input from "stakeholders".  I think we need to watch this closely and be ready to weigh in again as needed.  This could be a long haul.

Helen Maurer, May 20, 2025