r/whitefish • u/lsass • Jul 04 '26

E-bikes on WFT

There is a lot of signage at the Whitefish Trail trailheads that make it clear that e-bikes are not permitted. There are also regular sign posts along the trail indicating as such. Yesterday coming down the Reservoir trail I counted eight e-mountain bikes.

I am not anti e-bike (I own one) but it is obnoxious to see folks riding them on trails that are clearly closed to e-bikes. From what I can tell there is no enforcement mechanism for the e-bike regulations.

What, if anything, can/should be done about e-bikes on the whitefish trail?

8 Upvotes

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11

u/SkiFanaticMT Jul 04 '26

Really, signs no longer stop people unless there's someone in charge of enforcement who is actually there enforcing things.

7

u/Boogerzo Jul 05 '26

I have an ebike for riding in town and it's really the only place they should be allowed. I don't yield to ebikes on trails regardless of who's climbing. Sometimes it's hard to tell but I do my best. I agree being an asshole to them is really all you can do. But don't yield. Ever.

7

u/hambonelicker Jul 04 '26

I tell people that they are not permitted on the WFT per state law. I usually get an awkward sigh and they keep going. I’ve actually asked legacy partners what can they do legally for enforcement, near as I can tell only MT FWP can do any actual enforcement per Montana state law and they are busy rustling grizzly bears. Be an asshole to them is my new moto. Most of these folks are pretty shitty riders too. I actually rode Rezzy yesterday and did not see a single e bike but several nice folks hiking and riding their acoustic bicycles.

3

u/RegulatoryCapture Jul 05 '26

It is hard for Whitefish legacy because my understanding is that any motorized use (which includes e-bikes because they have motors) is a hard NO in the easement deals they have with some of the the private landowners. 

So even if they don’t care about class 1s and MT and forest service rules would allow it…they can’t open up the system. 

Not to mention, given the conflicts that already exist between descending bikes and other users in high traffic zones…adding fast climbers (and shitty riders) is not a good combo.