HOT SPRINGS — The Ouachita and Ozark-St. Francis National Forests recently released the final environmental assessment and decision notice authorizing use of all classes of electric bikes (e-bike) on the Womble and Syllamo Mountain Bike Trails.
Full implementation of this decision is planned to take effect in January 2025 to allow for posting of signage at trailheads and for incorporation of e-bike use authorizations on Forest Motor Vehicle Use maps.
The decision expands access to recreation opportunities in ways that meet user needs while continuing to protect forest resources. The USDA Forest Service currently allows e-bikes on roads that are designated for motorized vehicle use as indicated on official Forest Motor Vehicle Use maps, as well as on thousands of miles of motorized trails nationwide.
The Womble Trail is a point-to-point trail in western Arkansas on the Ouachita National Forest that extends from McGill Mountain on the northeast end to North Fork Lake on the southwest end. Trail elevations range from around 600 to 1,200 feet. The total trail mileage managed for mountain biking and e-bike use will be approximately 38 miles.
The Syllamo Mountain Bike Trail is a network of interconnected loops and spurs on the Ozark-St. Francis National Forests that range from around 300 to 1,000 feet in elevation. The total trail mileage to be managed for mountain biking and e-bike use will be approximately 51 miles, with the exception of a portion of the Jack’s Branch Loop of the Syllamo Trail System that falls within the designated Wild and Scenic River corridor of North Sylamore Creek. The Comprehensive River Management Plan for North Sylamore Creek states that no new motorized use will be authorized within this corridor. Therefore, the authorization for e-bike use in this area will be deferred until such time as the Comprehensive River Management Plan is updated.
The final decision notice and environmental assessment can be found at the project website: https://www.fs.usda.gov/project/ouachita/?project=62170.
