Central Oregon just made the most significant trail access decision in its mountain biking history. Starting April 1st, Class 1 pedal-assist eBikes are now allowed on 161 miles of singletrack trails in the Deschutes National Forest west of Bend.
That includes the entirety of Phil’s Trail network. The entire Wanoga network. Most trails in the Sunriver and Sisters areas. This isn’t a pilot program on a handful of routes. This is a wholesale opening of one of the best mountain bike trail systems in the western United States.
If you ride in Central Oregon or you’re planning a trip, here’s what you need to know.
What’s Open and What’s Not
The open trails represent roughly half of the 320 miles of singletrack on the Deschutes National Forest. The general rule: lower-elevation trail systems are open, higher-elevation areas remain closed.
Open: Phil’s Trail network, Wanoga network, most Sunriver trails, most Sisters trails. These are the core riding destinations that attract riders from across the Pacific Northwest and beyond.
Closed: Trails out of Skyliners Trailhead, Swampy Lakes Sno-park, Dutchman Sno-park, the Mt. Bachelor area, and the Cultus Lake area. The Deschutes River Trail and Mrazek also remain closed to eBikes.
The restriction is Class 1 only — pedal-assist with a maximum speed of 20 mph and no throttle. Class 2 (throttle-equipped) and Class 3 (speed pedelec) eBikes are not allowed.
Why This Matters Beyond Bend
Bend’s decision follows a growing national trend but at a scale that sets a new benchmark. Other Oregon trail systems — Post Canyon in Hood River, Spence Mountain near Klamath Falls, Black Rock near Salem — have allowed Class 1 eBikes for years. But none of those systems match the scope or profile of Bend’s trail networks.
When Phil’s Trail and Wanoga open to eBikes, the rest of the country pays attention. These are destination trails that draw riders from everywhere. The decision will generate real-world data on trail impact, user conflict, and maintenance requirements at a scale that smaller systems can’t provide.
The Forest Service’s statement framed the decision as balancing ecological and social impacts with increased access for eBike users. The Central Oregon Trail Alliance (COTA) contacted other trail organizations that have already made this transition to learn from their experiences. The move wasn’t impulsive — it followed a formal comment period and years of discussion.
The Legitimate Concerns
Not everyone is celebrating. Longtime Bend mountain biker Woody Keen — a former COTA board member and trails program coordinator — raised a concern that deserves honest consideration: eBike riders can cover more distance per ride, which means more trail impact per user.
The math is simple. If a rider on a regular mountain bike averages 15 miles per ride, and an eBike rider averages 25-30 miles on the same trails, that’s a 67-100% increase in trail wear per person per ride. Multiply that across the ridership base and the aggregate impact is meaningful.
Trail maintenance resources don’t automatically scale with increased usage. COTA and the Forest Service will need to monitor trail conditions closely and potentially increase maintenance budgets to keep pace.
The other concern is social — trail congestion and speed differentials between eBike and acoustic bike riders. On narrow singletrack, faster eBike riders overtaking slower riders creates friction. Clear trail etiquette and possibly directional trail designations could help manage this.
What This Means for You
If you own a Class 1 eBike and you’ve been eyeing a Bend trip, book it. Phil’s Trail and Wanoga are world-class riding, and the eBike access opens up loop options and ride lengths that weren’t practical on pedal power alone for many riders.
If you’re a traditional mountain biker who rides Bend regularly, expect more traffic on popular trails. Plan rides for off-peak hours, explore less-trafficked routes, and practice patience. The trails belong to everyone.
And if you’ve been on the fence about eBike ownership, Bend’s decision removes one of the biggest objections — trail access. When the best trail systems in the country start opening their doors, the calculus changes. The eBike isn’t a substitute for fitness. It’s an access multiplier. And access just got a lot better.