Coalition for the Capital Crescent Trail

M-NCPPC Montgomery County Park Directive

SUBJECT:            E-Bike and E-Scooter Policy for Park Trails No. MC-21- 001

AUTHORITY:    M-NCPPC Park Rules and Regulations, Chapter I, Section 3

RELATED:          N/A

EFFECTIVE:       March 25, 2021

A.     On June 1, 2019, the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Parks ("Montgomery Parks") issued a Park Directive establishing an E-Bike and E-Scooter Pilot Program (Park Directive No. MC-19-001), which Park Directive expired on December 1, 2019.

B.     On November 14, 2019, prior to the expiration of the Pilot Program, Montgomery Parks sought the Montgomery County Planning Boards's ("Board") approval to extend the said Pilot Program for additional six months (the "Extension Hearing").

C.     At the Extension Hearing, the Board unanimously decided to permanently allow e-bikes and e-scooter on designated Commission Property rather than extend the Pilot Program.

Accordingly, pursuant to Chapter I, Section 3, of the M-NCPPC Park Rules & Regulations (2017), the Director of the Montgomery County Department of Parks issues the following Park Directive:

1. An Electric Bicycle is defined in Park Rules Chapter II, Section 1(G) as a vehicle that (1) is designed to be operated by human power with the assistance of an electric motor; (2) is equipped with fully operable pedals; (3) has two or three wheels; and (4) has a motor with a rating of 500 watts or less.

2. For the purposes of this Park Directive, an Electric Scooter is defined as a vehicle that (1) is designed to transport only the operator; (2) weighs less than 100 pounds; (3) has single wheels in tandem or a combination of one or two wheels at the front and rear of the vehicle; (4) is equipped with handlebars and a platform designed to be stood on while riding; (5) is solely powered by an battery-powered electric motor and human power; and (6) is capable of operating at a speed of up to 20 mph.

3. Park Rules Chapter V, Section 14(A) prohibits the use of Electric Bicycles and Electric Scooters on Department of Parks property except as authorized by permit or in areas where expressly designated by Park Directive and posted accordingly.

4. This Park Directive hereby authorizes the use of Electric Bicycles as defined in the Park Rules, as well as Electric Scooters as defined above, on hard surface trails located on parkland owned or controlled by M-NCPPC in Montgomery County, Maryland, except where expressly prohibited and posted accordingly.

5. Electric Bicycle and Electric Scooter users on M-NCPPC Montgomery County Parkland must adhere to the Park Rules; and further not operate at a speed exceeding the lesser of (a) a posted trail speed limit; or (b) a speed that is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions or as directed by Park Police or other authorized person.

6. Except as described in this Park Directive, all other restrictions on the use of motorized vehicles on M-NCPPC Montgomery County Parkland remain in effect.

Authorized and approved as provided under the Park Rules and Regulations adopted on March 15, 2017, by the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission:

SIGNATURE:                            Michael F. Riley, Director   Montgomery County Department of Parks

DATE: March 18, 2021

This Park Directive was published under the Public Notice section of the Agenda of the Montgomery County Planning Board on March 25, 2021.

This Park Directive was published on the website of the Montgomery County Department of Parks on February 19, 2021.

You can download the original PDF of this policy directive.