Biking

Biking in Pheasant Branch Conservancy

Bikes are permitted on the main crushed limestone trails, but are not allowed on grass or dirt paths. Please also keep in mind that all trails are shared with other users. Many regional conservancy areas are completely off-limits to bicycles, so please ride courteously so everyone can continue to enjoy recreating in the Conservancy.

The Conservancy is primarily managed for the protection and restoration of natural systems. It is important for the public to be able to visit the Conservancy to appreciate its value and to benefit from the experience of being in nature, but to do so in a way that complements the conservation mission. For cyclists, this includes:

• staying on the designated crushed limestone trail and not riding on grass or dirt paths 
• moderating speed to ride safely and respectfully among other users who may not expect to encounter cyclists, and
• being mindful of sensitive habitat and cultural sites adjacent to trails

What about e-bikes? (and other e-mobility devices?)

Wisconsin law recognizes three categories of e-bikes:

• Class 1 e-bike: assistance only while the rider is pedaling, assisting up to 20 mph
• Class 2 e-bike: electrical assistance regardless if the rider is pedaling or not (throttle control), assisting up to 20 mph
• Class 3 e-bike: pedal-assist up to 28 mph. Speedometer required; min 16 years of age.

Conservancy land managers (the City of Middleton and Dane County Parks) generally permit these three classes of e-bikes on routes where traditional bicycles are allowed and do not have policies specifically allowing or prohibiting other e-mobility devices (one-wheel, e-scooters).

E-motos (electric dirt bikes lacking functional pedals and with power output exceeding 750 watts) and high-powered e-bikes (with power output exceeding 750 watts and/or assistance beyond 28 mph) are illegal to operate on Wisconsin roads, public trails, sidewalks, and parks–including Pheasant Branch Conservancy. These can be hard to visually distinguish from legal e-bikes, and are sold into the state despite their legal operation being restricted only to private land.

E-bikes represent a very useful tool to enable people to be more active outside and experience places like Pheasant Branch Conservancy that they might otherwise struggle to access, but respectful riding (of e-bikes, other e-mobility, and traditional bicycles) around other trail users is not only the right thing to do, but also essential for maintaining bike access to the Conservancy.