E-Biking in Mammoth Lakes

December 19, 2023

If you find yourself biking around Mammoth Lakes and feel like you would love a little extra oomph in your pedal, consider renting an e-bike from one of the many bike shops in town.

An electric bike or e-bike is a bike with an electric motor that can assist with or replace pedaling, depending on the class of e-bike. It’s a great way to get out and enjoy the unreal beauty of the area.

E-Biking Mammoth Lakes

E-biking is allowed in Mammoth Lakes with some restrictions that are based on the class of e-bike you have and where you are planning to ride. Please familiarize yourself with the following information before you head out on the trails.

An E-Bike is defined as a bicycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. There are three classes of e-bikes – Class 1, 2 and 3. A Class 1 e-bike is pedal assisted with a maximum speed of 20 mph while a Class 2 e-bike is pedal, or throttle assisted and has a maximum speed of 20 mph. A Class 3 e-bike is pedal assisted with a maximum speed of 28 mph.

All e-bikes are allowed on roads and streets in Mammoth Lakes.

All e-bikes are allowed on Inyo National Forest off highway vehicle (OHV) routes and roads included on USFS Motor Vehicle Use Maps.

Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on all paved multi-use pathways (Examples: Paved two-lane pathways around town such as the Lakes Basin Path and the Town Loop), as well as in the Mammoth Mountain Bike Park, a fee-based facility.

E-bikes are NOT permitted on any trail designated as non-motorized. (Examples: Mammoth Rock Trail, Mountain View Trail, Panorama Dome, Horseshoe Lake Loop, Duck Pass Trail, Mammoth Pass Trail.)

In addition to understanding where you can ride, it is also important to follow e-bike etiquette when out on paths. As you can imagine, e-bikes have the potential to move a bit more quickly than traditional bikes, which means you are responsible for letting others know you are coming and for paying attention and yielding to other individuals out recreating, when applicable.

Recreate responsibly by:

  • Always staying on the right-hand side of the road or path – Pass on the left.
  • Yielding appropriately – Let your fellow users know you’re coming and beware of blind turns! Anticipate other users as you ride around corners. E-bike users should yield to all non-motorized users, regardless of the direction they are traveling.
  • Riding responsibly – Respect all speed regulations and recommendations, and ride within your limits. Watch your downhill speed!
  • Planning ahead – Know your equipment, your ability and the area in which you are riding and prepare accordingly.
  • Leaving no trace – Pack out at least as much as you pack in and pick up after your pets. Stay on existing roads.
  • Considering other riding options when roads and trails are soft or wet.
  • Never scare animals – An unannounced approach, a sudden movement or a loud noise easily startles animals, including horses, cattle and dogs. Give animals enough room and time to adjust to you.
  • Respecting motorized/non-motorized trail use regulations – Check in with the Mammoth Lakes Trail System for clarification if you are uncertain about the status of a trail.
  • Riders and passengers under 18 years old must wear helmets (CA State Law)
  • Bikes must follow the same laws as cars when riding on the streets and roads.

Additionally, if you see this symbol at a trailhead, e-bikes are NOT permitted and violations are punishable.

Please note that e-bike batteries can run out! Keep track of how much you have left so you don’t get stuck somewhere with a dead battery.

Click here to learn more about biking in Mammoth Lakes as well as where to rent equipment.

Author
Lara Kaylor
Lara Kaylor is an outdoor enthusiast who gets her thrills from big time recreation in Mammoth Lakes where she resides with her husband and daughter. An award-winning journalist, Lara has been writing about all things Eastern Sierra since 2003. Lara currently works as a freelance writer and the Director of Communications and Community Engagement for Mammoth Lakes Tourism.
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