Can we ride E-Bikes on the Carriage Roads in Acadia National Park?
Background: The carriage roads in Acadia National Park were the vision and creation of John D.
Rockefeller Jr., the wealthy philanthropist and son of oil tycoon John D. Rockefeller Sr. In the early 1900s, Rockefeller fell in love with the natural beauty of Mount Desert Island, where Acadia is located. At that time, automobiles were becoming more common, and he was concerned about how they would disturb the peace and natural landscape of the area. So, he set out to create a network of carriage roads that would be closed to motor vehicles and instead used for walking, horseback riding, bicycling, and horse-drawn carriages. Today, walking, bicycling, horseback riding, and horse-drawn carriages can still be seen on the roads, with the addition of e-bikes. Acadia National Park offers scenic routes for e-bike enthusiasts, but it’s important to adhere to specific regulations to ensure safety and preservation of the park’s natural beauty. In Acadia National Park, the use of electric bicycles (e-bikes) is regulated based on their classification. Here’s a breakdown of where e-bikes are permitted:
Where E-Bikes Are Allowed:
● Class 1 E-Bikes: These e-bikes are permitted on most of the park’s Carriage Roads and
Schoodic bike paths. Class 1 e-bikes are equipped with a motor that provides assistance
only when the rider is pedaling and ceases to assist when the bicycle reaches 20 mph.
○ Class 1 e-bikes are allowed in all areas where traditional bicycles are permitted, including the park’s Carriage
Roads and Schoodic bike paths. Class 1 E-Bikes are what we rent!
○ 1 – All of our e-bikes come equipped with a reliable Bosch or Shimano mid-drive motor for a natural and balanced feel to your ride.
○ 2 – Our bikes come with high-capacity frame-mounted batteries to keep up with your full day of riding. Our competitor’s e-bike batteries last about half as long as ours do. *Based on the manufacturer’s data
○ 3 – Our “conventional” wheel and tire combinations offer the Goldilocks combination for comfort and predictability on the Carriage Road gravel surface. Large fat tires make the ride bouncy and require more effort.
Small-diameter wheels feel “squirrely” and make the ride twitchy over bumps. All of our bikes are equipped with 27.5×2.2 or 29×2.1 tires.
○ 4 – Aluminum step-through frames make mounting and dismounting convenient and help riders feel confident and comfortable from beginning to end.
● All E-Bike Classes: Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes are allowed on roads open to motor
vehicles within the park.
Where E-Bikes Are Prohibited
- Class 2 and Class 3 E-Bikes: These are not allowed on the carriage roads or Schoodic bike paths. Class 2 e-bikes can be powered by a throttle without pedaling, and Class 3 e-bikes provide assistance up to 28 mph, which poses safety concerns on shared-use paths.
- Hiking Trails and Privately Owned Carriage Roads: Bicycling, including the use of e-bikes, is not permitted on hiking trails or on privately owned carriage roads within the park.
Additional Guidelines
- Speed Limit: The maximum speed for bicycles, including e-bikes, on carriage roads is 20 mph.
- Yielding: Cyclists must yield to all other users on the carriage roads, including pedestrians and horses.
- Island Explorer Bus Service: E-bikes are not transported by the Island Explorer buses or their bike trailers due to load limitations. *Please note that the Bicycle Express is not run by Acadia Bike or Acadia Outfitters and we are not responsible for the transportation.
- Seasonal Closures: Carriage roads may close during “mud season” (typically March and April) to prevent damage. Always check for current conditions before your visit.
For the most up-to-date information and any changes to these regulations, please refer to the Acadia National Park Bicycling page.