Presenting the 2026 Tom on the Trails E-Bike Survey Report
What Trail Users Shared About E-Bikes, Safety, and Their Future on Our Trails
After a month of writing about e-bikes on trails, asking questions, and encouraging respectful discussion, I’m pleased to share the 2026 Tom on the Trails E-Bike Survey Report. It is now available to read and download, and I hope you’ll take the time to explore it.
This article highlights the major findings, only scratching the surface of what trail users shared. The full report includes survey results, participant comments, recommendations, and links to additional resources providing valuable context for anyone interested in the future of e-bikes on trails.
When I began this series, my goal wasn’t to convince anyone they were right or wrong. It was to listen. Conversations about e-bikes have become increasingly emotional; too often people speak past one another instead of with one another.
I wanted to understand what people who actually use our trails were experiencing and what they believed would make trails safer and more welcoming for everyone.
Who Responded
Most respondents are cyclists who regularly use trails. Many ride traditional bicycles, many ride e-bikes, and a significant number ride both. Most respondents were middle-aged or older, and while the majority were from Ohio, cyclists from several other states also participated.
This wasn’t intended to be a scientific poll of the general public. Rather, it provides a snapshot of the people who spend time on our trails and who experience these issues firsthand.
What People Told Me
One of the strongest messages was that people are more concerned about behavior than batteries. Respondents emphasized that excessive speed, poor trail etiquette, inattention, and reckless cycling create conflict, not whether someone is riding an e-bike.
That doesn’t mean everyone agrees on e-bike access. They don’t. There was remarkable agreement that courtesy, common sense, and respect for other trail users matter far more than the presence of an electric motor.
Education Before More Regulation
A theme throughout the survey was the need for better education. Respondents believe we can improve trail safety effectively by helping people understand trail etiquette, e-bike classifications, and responsible cycling rather than by only adding more regulations.
There was considerable confusion surrounding the differences between the classes of e-bikes and electric motorcycles, often called e-motos. People use those terms interchangeably, even though they are very different, with different intended uses and different legal treatment.
Better public understanding benefits everyone — cyclists, pedestrians, trail managers, and policymakers alike.
Balancing Safety and Accessibility
The survey highlighted something that deserves equal attention. Respondents shared stories of how e-bikes have made cycling accessible to people of all ages and abilities, helping them discover cycling for the first time, return after years away, or continue doing what they love. For many, e-bikes aren't a luxury but the reason they can still ride.
That perspective deserves to be part of every conversation about future trail policies. The challenge isn’t choosing between safety and accessibility. It’s finding policies that support both.
Recommendations to Move Forward
The report summarizes several recommendations that appeared consistently throughout the survey.
Respondents favored focusing first on unsafe behavior rather than the technology itself. They encouraged more education, consistent enforcement of existing rules, clearer distinctions between e-bikes and e-motos, and fair, understandable regulations that are consistent across the state.
These are not recommendations from experts sitting in conference rooms. They come directly from the people who use our trails.
Policy Conversations Continue
Technology continues to evolve faster than many laws. Communities across Ohio and around the country wrestle with questions surrounding e-bike access, enforcement, safety, and the growing popularity of electric mobility.
The report addresses policy challenges. With limited federal direction, states and local communities are left to decide where e-bikes may be used. That makes it especially important for these discussions to rely on accurate information rather than assumptions.
Education, the Missing Piece
The thing I hope readers take away is to educate yourself. Learn how e-bikes are classified. Understand how Ohio law defines them. Become familiar with federal guidance. Learn the difference between an e-bike and an e-moto.
Read about how other states, trails, and communities are approaching these issues. Whether you support broader e-bike access or favor additional restrictions, informed opinions make for better conversations and ultimately better public policy.
In the report, you’ll find links to trusted resources, including federal guidance, Ohio laws, information about proposed federal e-bike labeling standards, and educational materials from respected organizations.
I encourage readers to explore resources from Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, People For Bikes, and the League of American Bicyclists. These organizations have invested in research, education, safety, and policy development.
Read the Full Report
This article is only an overview. The complete report includes detailed survey findings, charts, participant comments, recommendations, links to laws and regulations, and additional resources for anyone who wants to explore the topic more deeply.
If you’re interested in the future of our trails, I hope you’ll read or download the report and spend some time reflecting on it.
Thank You
I want to thank everyone who followed this series, shared your thoughts, and especially those who took the time to complete the survey. I hope this report accurately reflects the community’s perspectives.
Personally, the survey challenged me beyond my assumptions, giving me a broader appreciation for the diverse opinions surrounding e-bikes. I learned as much from this project as I hope my readers will.
This won’t be the last conversation about e-bikes. Trails, municipalities, state agencies, advocacy groups, and elected officials will continue discussing issues in the years to come as technology evolves and trail use grows.
I hope those conversations remain thoughtful, respectful, and grounded in facts.
Thank you again for participating, for reading, and for helping make this project possible. I look forward to continuing the conversation.
As always, I’ll see you on the trail.
Tom on the Trails