National Park Service announces proposal to let e-bikes at parks

If approved, all of Georgia’s national parks would see changes

ATLANTA — The National Park Service announced a newly proposed rule to improve access at national parks by expanding e-bike and bicycle access opportunities.

Now proposed, the rule will be open for review and public comment for 60 days.

According to NPS, the rule change would let the parks service “remove unnecessary reviews and requirements for bicycle use across the National Park System,” letting the agency manage resources more efficiently while adding new ways for visitors to enjoy the parks.

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NPS said the proposal was made as a way to update policies in accordance with President Donald Trump’s “Making America Beautiful Again by Improving Our National Parks” executive order, as well as other orders focused on removing regulations and other initiatives.

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“America’s national parks should be easy to access and enjoy,” Jessica Bowron, exercising the delegated authority of the Director of the National Park Service, said in a statement. “This proposal would create a simpler, more consistent approach to bicycle and e-bike access across the national park system, making it easier for visitors to access the incredible landscapes, history, and recreation opportunities our parks have to offer while also allowing parks to manage their resources more efficiently.”

Georgia’s national parks are:

  • Andersonville National Cemetery
  • Appalachian Trail
  • Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
  • Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park
  • Cumberland Island
  • Fort Frederica
  • For Pulaski
  • Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
  • Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
  • Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park
  • Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park
  • Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

The proposed rule can be found online here, once published.

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