...Pedals or not makes no difference!
Check with state DMV...if it has pedals and chain driven...it is not motorized...thats should be a piece of paper handed to any blm fs or state guy....and the state guy 'has to accept' that paperwork...
Actually, there are reasonably clear legal definitions which clearly separate e-bikes from e-motos (as there should be).
Learn more about the three classes of electric bicycles (including pedal-assist and throttle-controlled models) and eBike regulations in the United States.
www.bosch-ebike.com
The problem with the BLM/NFS, is that they essentially treat all vehicles as "stay on the road/trail", and therefore ORV and bicycle (e-bike or otherwise) are essentially the same in their eyes. This isn't exactly crazy, as I don't think people should just be bushwacking willy nilly around, but at the same time, if you allow a horse on the trail, I think you should allow a bicycle (class 1 and 2 at least).
Stay on open forest roads Some roads could be closed temporarily or permanently to protect against further damage to wetland and aquatic resources and halt damage to soil, water and vegetation resources. The intent of road closures is to balance popular public use with the sustainability of...
www.fs.usda.gov
This is for regular bicycles, not e-bikes, but note the first heading..."Stay on open forest
roads".
Perhaps with the new guidance and legislation mentioned by others, things will clear up, and solidify. At this point though, it's a bit of a tangle, as apparently the local public land branches are allowed to interpret the rules how they see fit.
In my experience, law enforcers are rarely out to get you, unless you're doing something stupid or flagrant. That said, I personally err on the side of caution, and will only use my bike where I could use any other vehicle. For me, it's not about getting
extra access, it's about getting
silent access, and access to places that a quad or truck might not be nimble enough to make it.