E-bikes on Frisby Ridge

The RCA has received numerous inquiries about using e-bikes on Frisby Ridge recently. Currently, they are not allowed, but this may change. In the fall, we surveyed our membership and they are supportive of opening Frisby to e-bikes. We have asked Recreation Sites & Trails BC, the provincial land manager, to lift the restriction and are awaiting a decision. Ultimately, the decision is up to them.

Here is some background on why e-bikes currently aren't allowed on Frisby Ridge:

The decision was made by RSTBC, with our recommendation, when the provincial e-bike policy was implemented in 2019. We made this recommendation after surveying our members the previous fall. Only 9% of respondents were in favour of allowing e-bikes on Frisby. As an association, we had concerns about safety and the potential for increased erosion in a sensitive alpine environment. Frisby is a two-way trail that people descend at high speed and we were concerned about the risk of collisions if people were ascending just as fast. E-bikes are also heavier and allow people to ride faster and further than on regular bikes, so we were concerned about the potential for increased erosion and increased maintenance costs.

Since 2019, attitudes towards e-bikes have evolved and we have had more time to observe their impacts. We conducted another member survey last fall, and this time, two-thirds of respondents supported opening the trail to e-bikes. While we still have some concerns about their impacts, we recognize they are becoming more popular and they allow more people to get out and enjoy our trails, which is something we encourage. We have asked RSTBC to open the trail to e-bikes. While our recommendation does carry weight, the province may have other concerns, such as protecting wildlife, that trump the desire for access.