higher use of these alternative routes, many of these routes also lack adequate shoulders to encourage and provide safe use by alternative transportation methods.

4.2.3 Motorized Trails and Routes

4.2.3.1 E-bikes

As of the writing of this report, E-bikes are increasing in use in many areas of the United States. These bikes can range from full electric powered bikes that resemble a stripped-down motorcycle to mountain bikes that have pedal assist and are still essentially a mountain bike with a small motor that is only used as needed. The question of classification has arisen in many communities including those in Duchesne County. Federal Land Management entities including the Forest Service, BLM, and National Parks have recently opened up mountain biking trails in Utah to E-bikes. Their use is limited to designated mountain biking trails in most of these areas and they are not allowed in the High Uintah Wilderness Area.

As E-bike use is still in its beginning years and use data is non-existent or sparse, there may be opportunity for Duchesne County to steer the use and designation of routes locally. Likely those discussions will start with the Forest Service and possibly BLM for public lands and with the County and Councils for the municipalities in Duchesne County.

4.2.3.2 Singletrack Motorized

No Singletrack Motorized designated routes exist in Duchesne County. Singletrack users have created a number of routes that are used, but none are designated. Singletrack use also takes place on county roads and other ATV routes such as the Yellowstone ATV system.

4.2.3.3 ATV Trails

4.2.3.3.1 Trails 50” Or Less

Several of the existing designated OHV routes on the Ashley National Forest are designated 50” or less such as FS-128 in the Yellowstone ATV system. This designation is antiquated in that it was created when OHV use was essentially defined as four wheelers. Side by sides which are typically wider than 50” had not been developed for off road use and thus were not incorporated into standards for trails on the Ashley National Forest. The challenge of 50” or less trails is that they exclude the increasing user group of side by side users. Not all side by side vehicles are street legal and so there are places in the Ashley National Forest where non-street legal side by sides are not allowed on the forest roads or on the designated ATV trails (50” or less).

4.2.3.3.2 Trails Greater Than 50”

Different from the 50” or less designation, the BLM does have designated motorized trails that are intended to accommodate four wheelers, side by sides and in some cases jeeps. Often these routes are designated as motorized trails and the actual trail defines what use can take place on that trail. For example, a motorized trail with tight corners through dense tree areas may not be ideal for a jeep but works well for a side by side. There are also existing motorized trails that have individual restrictions such as winter use only (snowmobile trails) or other specified use trails.

The BLM is currently updating their travel management plan throughout Uintah and Duchesne Counties in phases. This update may or may not include specific designations for motorized use trails. The Ashley National Forest is also currently updating their forest plan which includes direction on the travel