§ 420.5 - Definitions.

§ 420.5 Definitions.

As used in this part, the term:

(a) Off-road vehicle means any motorized vehicle (including standard automobile) designed for or capable of cross-country travel on or immediately over land, water, sand, snow, ice, marsh, swampland, or natural terrain. The term excludes:

(1) Nonamphibious registered motorboats;

(2) Military, fire, emergency, or law enforcement vehicles when used for emergency purpose;

(3) Self-propelled lawnmowers, snowblowers, garden or lawn tractors, and golf carts while being used for their designed purpose;

(4) Agricultural, timbering, construction, exploratory, and development equipment and vehicles while being used exclusively as authorized by permit, lease, license, agreement, or contract with the Bureau;

(5) Any combat or combat support vehicle when used in times of national defense emergencies;

(6) “Official use” vehicles; and

(7) Electric bikes as defined by paragraph (h) of this section: While being used on roads and trails upon which mechanized, non-motorized use is allowed, that are not being used in a manner where the motor is being used exclusively to propel the E-bike for an extended period of time, and where the Regional Director has expressly determined, as part of a land-use planning or implementation-level decision, that E-bikes should be treated the same as non-motorized bicycles.

(b) Bureau means the Bureau of Reclamation.

(c) Reclamation lands mean all lands under the custody and control of the Commissioner, Bureau of Reclamation.

(d) Off-road vehicle area means a portion or all of a specifically designated parcel of Reclamation lands opened to off-road vehicle use in accordance with the procedure in section 420.21.

(e) Off-road vehicle trail means a specifically delineated path or way varying in width which is designated to be used by and maintained for hikers, horsemen, snow travelers, bicyclists and for motorized vehicles.

(f) Official use means use of a vehicle by an employee, agent, or designated representative of the Federal Government who, with special permission from the Bureau of Reclamation, uses a vehicle for an officially authorized purpose.

(g) Organized Event means a structured, or consolidated, or scheduled meeting involving 15 or more vehicles for the purpose of recreational use of Reclamation lands involving the use of off-road vehicles. The term does not include family groups participating in informal recreational activities.

(h) Electric bicycle (also known as an E-bike) means a two- or three-wheeled cycle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of not more than 750 watts (1 horsepower) that meets the requirements of one of the following three classes:

(1) Class 1 electric bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

(2) Class 2 electric bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

(3) Class 3 electric bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.

[39 FR 26893, July 24, 1974, as amended at 44 FR 34909, June 15, 1979; 85 FR 67298, Oct. 22, 2020; 86 FR 59041, Oct. 26, 2021]