E-bike Surge in Acadia National Park Sparks Local Outcry

Residents of Maine's Mount Desert Island are voicing growing frustration over a surge in electric bicycle use within Acadia National Park, citing fears of being run over, spooked horses, and general congestion on the park's historic carriage roads. The National Park Service policy allowing Class 1 e-bikes, which offer pedal assistance up to 20 mph, has been in place for about seven years.

While some view e-bikes as a way to make Acadia's extensive wilderness more accessible, particularly for those with physical limitations, a significant number of local residents and regular park users describe them as a disruptive nuisance. Concerns are amplified by reports of inexperienced riders, crowded trails, and the presence of higher-powered Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes on gravel carriage roads where they are not permitted.

Longtime park users, including walkers, traditional cyclists, and horseback riders, report that they have largely abandoned the 45-mile network of carriage roads due to the increased e-bike activity. "A lot of people on foot that used to be harmonious with the cycling crew have pretty much abandoned being out there because we don’t stand a chance," said resident Meredith Gabbard. She added, "The park can’t police it; the rental places should take some ownership on what they’re renting and where the bikes are going."

Horseback riders have also expressed alarm. Curt Bonney, who has ridden the carriage roads since the 1970s, noted that while traditional bicycles could be challenging around horses, e-bikes present a different issue. "E-bikes can startle horses because they approach quickly and produce little noise," Bonney explained. "Then e-bikes came on the scene: at first they were a novelty, but now they go 20, 25 30 miles an hour, they make no noise, and it spooks the horse."

This tension coincides with reports of potential staffing cuts affecting park rangers, who are responsible for enforcing cycling rules. This has led to fewer personnel available to manage the situation.

However, research conducted with Worcester Polytechnic Institute indicates that e-bike riders averaged 12 mph, only slightly faster than traditional cyclists at 11 mph. Acadia Superintendent Kevin Schneider shared this data with the Acadia Advisory Commission, noting that the research did not show evidence of e-bike riders speeding on average.

Stephanie Clement, vice president of Friends of Acadia, emphasized the importance of visitor education. "Roughly half of Acadia’s visitors are first-time visitors, which makes education about how to recreate responsibly and safely on the carriage roads really important," Clement stated. "Many visitors have never ridden a bike on a road shared with horses, for example, so helping them understand how to safely navigate those interactions benefits everyone."

Park officials are exploring a proposal that would require a concessions contract for businesses delivering e-bikes and customers to locations within Acadia. Schneider suggested this could grant the park more authority in educating riders about trail etiquette.

Despite the complaints, some visitors, like Karin Saltonovitz from Chicago, describe their e-biking experiences as peaceful, reporting speeds between 11 and 17 mph and observing other cyclists adhering to rules.