State no closer to allowing unlimited use of e-bikes on famous Black Hills trail

Senate committee amends bill to limit e-bike usage on Mickelson Trail

The Mickelson Trail in the Black Hills. (Travel South Dakota)

PIERRE – A push to allow unfettered electric bicycle usage on the Mickelson Trail was stifled by a Senate committee Tuesday.

Arguing that allowing e-bikes would encourage more use of the over 100-mile long trail, the state’s Game, Fish and Parks Department brought the legislation through the Senate’s Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee. 

Specifically, GF&P’s rule change would have allowed class-2 bicycles to operate on the Mickelson Trail – right now, only class-1 and 3 are able to do so. Of the three classes of e-bikes, class-2 bikes are the only ones that are throttled assisted instead of pedal assisted – similar to a scooter.

“We do not believe that we will have an issue with allowing all e-bikes,” said GF&P Deputy Secretary Scott Simpson. 

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