“On Your Left!” — E-Bikes on Regional Trails

SOUTHEAST MINNESOTA — The meandering Root River State Trail is a popular draw for thousands of Minnesota and Midwest bikers — a major attraction of the blufflands of southeastern Minnesota. 

Together with the Harmony-Preston Valley trail, there are over 60-miles of scenic paved trails connecting towns like Fountain, Preston, Harmony, Lanesboro, Whalan, Peterson, Rushford and Houston.

What’s also popular? Electric bikes, also known as e-bikes. 

The use of e-bikes has exploded in the last decade, driven by many factors. Better and less expensive technology; the Covid-19 pandemic (which got people seeking isolated outdoor activities); the assistance those bikes offer to older riders still wanting to be active; and the simple fact that e-bikes are fun, all contribute to the surging popularity of e-bike. 

Currently 15% of Americans own an e-bike. Some more than one. Worldwide there are 300 million in use and currently three times more e-bikes than electric cars. 

Tom Ryan of the Little River General Store in Lanesboro, Minn. “We see more and more e-bikes on our local trail,” says Tom. “People are loving them for many reasons.” (Photo by Steve Harris)

Adding to their popularity in Minnesota is an income-based tax rebate program enacted by the 2023 Minnesota Legislature that refunds 50-75% of the cost of an e-bike (up to $1,500). In the first year of this program, applications far exceeded the available funds for rebates.

So, how are area trails and e-bikes getting along?

“E-bike use on our local trail is definitely growing,” says Kurt Knollmaier, manager of the Little River General Store in Lanesboro, a major local outfitter and bike rental business.

“I would estimate that between 40% and 60% of bikers riding the Root River trail are now using e-bikes,” Knollmaier says. “They’re everywhere!”

Matt and Kathryn Bartlett of Appleton, Wis., make a four-hour drive several times a month to visit family in Rochester and to bike the Root River Trail. 

“My husband got me an e-bike for Christmas, and I just love it,” Kathryn says. “We bike about 100 miles a summer. We also pull a trailer to bring Clara, our 16-month-old daughter. Having the e-bike makes that so much easier, especially up hills.”

Matt, Kathryn and Clara Bartlett from Appleton, Wis., often bike the Root River State Trail. “I love my e-bike!” says Kathryn. (Photo by Steve Harris)

E-bike use is growing. What’s also increasing are concerns about their safety. 

A recent article in the Minnesota Star Tribune singled out one specific type of e-bike — an electric motorbike or e-moto — that is drawing some worrisome attention. An e-moto has a more powerful motor, no pedals normally, and a throttle that can produce bike-speeds of more than 40 miles-per-hour. The speed limit on the Root River State Trail, and other similar trails in Minnesota, is 28 miles per hour.

“Those kinds of bikes are not a problem in our area,” says Knollmaier. “We haven’t seen them.” 

Safety first based on experience

Tom Ryan, staff member at Little River General Store, agrees. “We serve lots of people renting e-bikes here, especially those using local campgrounds and people who are retired who want to get out more often. But we only rent Class 3 bikes here. We don’t rent motor bicycles with throttles. I’ve seen them in Winona, but not on the trail locally, at least not yet.”

“We set the maximum speed on the e-bikes we rent at 18-20 miles per hour,” adds Knollmaier.

Matt and Diane Skelley of Belle Plaine, Minn., are also regular bikers on the Root River Trail. They got their bikes pre-Covid (“we were electric before electric was cool,” says Matt) and enjoy them for a number of reasons. 

“You can go farther with less exertion and less pain,” says Matt. “E-bikes are about as much fun as you can have on the ground with your clothes on.”

The Skelley family of Belle Plaine, Minnesota, have had their e-bikes for more than seven years. “We were electric before electric was cool,” says Matt Kelly (far left). (Photo by Steve Harris)

“The e-bike I have now is actually my second one already, I got an upgrade,” says Diane. “I use mine around town where we live, too, to pick up a few groceries or run errands. 

“One of the things I enjoy most about it is that it helps me go farther than I would probably go on a conventional bike,” Diane explains.

Are they concerned with safety issues on the trail because of other e-bikers going too fast?

“No, we haven’t encountered any of that,” says Diane. “We don’t go really fast. We know that issue comes up, though, and you do hear people talk about banning e-bikes on trails like this. But there are real serious pedal-bikers who can hit 40 miles an hour so this isn’t just an e-bike issue. But we have always felt safe riding the trail.”

The future of e-bike use on the Root River and Harmony-Preston Valley state trail system looks bright. Numbers are expected to continue to increase. 

Concerns about safety with their increased use — and faster bikes — may also grow. But for now, all seems to be running, and biking, very smoothly.