Electric mountain bikes (eMTBs) are no longer emerging, they’re here and they’re reshaping the trail landscape in real time. As e-bikes, and increasingly eMTBs, represent a growing share of bike sales nationwide, communities are navigating complex and evolving questions around access, policy, and land management. At the same time, regulations are shifting. Federal guidance continues to evolve, states are adopting and adapting the three-class system, and local jurisdictions are taking varied approaches: some are expanding access, while others refine safety standards and enforcement. For trail organization leaders, the question isn’t whether eMTBs will impact your work, it’s how prepared you are to respond thoughtfully and effectively. Join our Government Affairs team for a timely and nuanced exploration of the eMTB regulatory landscape. This session will begin with a strategic overview of current developments at the federal, state, and local levels, followed by a candid panel discussion and open Q&A. From emerging state-level policies like licensing requirements to evolving federal land management designations, you’ll gain the context and tools needed to navigate competing perspectives, community expectations, and future opportunities. Join us in exploring the topic, and bring your questions and ideas regarding the future of eMTBs access on trails. What you’ll Ride Away with: By the end of this Leadership Lab, participants will be able to: Understand current federal regulatory landscape, including critical distinctions between tools for eMTB access to motorized and non motorized trails; as well as key state-level trends. Understand what fits within the three-class framework and how federal land managers interpret these categories. Identify approaches to utilizing existing examples to protect and gain trail access.

Fueled by dedicated Trail Champions, stewardship is more than maintenance; it is an ongoing commitment to protecting trails and the community experience for generations to come. This resource provides the tools to transition from a solo caretaker to the leader of a local movement. By focusing on the three pillars, Maintain, Engage, and Protect, you keep your trails a vibrant part of your community now and into the future. This guide offers actionable steps to balance physical upkeep with the social programming that fosters shared ownership among users. Start building a culture of care today to nurture and celebrate the people and trails that define your community.

This resource provides a framework for collaboration with the U.S. Forest Service. Built on the Coffee First philosophy, the content emphasizes that reliability and problem solving are the foundations of a successful partnership. By understanding the agency hierarchy, from the District Ranger to the Forest Supervisor, you can ensure your goals align with their legal mandates and resource priorities. Inside, you will find detailed breakdowns of the tools of the trade: The Agency Hierarchy: A directory of key players, their specific roles in decision-making, and the ideal frequency for meeting with them. Planning Fundamentals: How to navigate the tiers of public land management. Operational Success: An overview of Trail Management Objectives (TMOs) and how to use them to define user experience and maintenance standards. Legal Anchors: An overview of establishing MOUs, Challenge Cost-Share Agreements, and annual Operating Plans that formalize your partnership and protect your organization. Whether you are looking to bridge a capacity gap for a local ranger district or seeking to propose a new Trails Master Plan, this resource equips you with the knowledge to create partnerships, ultimately creating, protecting and enhancing great trails!