Oregon

Oregon Parks and Recreation considers changes to e-bike rules

Published

2 years ago

June 24, 2024

Oregon Parks and Recreation considers changes to e-bike rules

Woman riding a Class 2 e-bike (throttle-assist, 20 mph top speed) on the Historic Columbia River Highway State Trail. (Photo: Jonathan Maus/BikePortland)

Oregon Parks and Recreation Department (OPRD) has launched a project to consider new rules for electric bike use in campgrounds, beaches and other parks facilities.

The effort comes as e-bike use has skyrocketed statewide and a new law that clarified e-bike types was passed by the Oregon Legislature last session.

You’ll recall in 2017 we reported on an unfortunate wrinkle in OPRD rules that meant bikes with battery motors were technically not allowed on the popular bike paths throughout the State Park system. That legal glitch was cleared up in 2018 when the State Parks Commission approved a new administrative rule that allowed e-bikes to be ridden on trails and roads wider than eight feet unless otherwise posted.

Now they seek to re-evaluate the rules to account for different types of e-bikes and different trail types. According to OPRD, the resulting change in rules is expected to be made later this year and could, “expand, limit or continue where e-bikes can be used.”

(Keep in mind, Oregon parks are managed with Oregon Administrative Rules (OAR), not the Oregon Vehicle Code.)

House Bill 4103 passed the legislature earlier this year. It brought Oregon in line with national standards and adopted a three-class system: Class 1 includes bikes that can go up to 20 mph with only pedal and battery power; Class 2 includes bikes that can go up to 20 mph with a throttle; and Class 3 includes bikes that can go up to 28 mph with only pedal-assisted power.

“OPRD’s current e-bike rules do not account for these differences between e-bike classes, so now is an ideal time to revisit current regulations and assess whether changes are appropriate,” reads an OPRD webpage.

A new survey is the first step in the public outreach process that will help inform which new rule(s) OPRD ultimately adopts. The survey asks respondents what type of activities they do in parks, how often they encounter e-bikes, and whether, “e-bikes on trails impact your recreational experience.” Another question: “Do you have any concerns about e-bikes sharing trails?” makes it clear that this process will tilt heavily toward ameliorating complaints from some park users that some e-bike riders don’t ride with respect to others.

I sincerely hope OPRD does not over-regulate e-bikes. They should focus on regulating behaviors, not bicycle types, just like they do with other types of vehicles. Any type of blanket exclusion of a particular type of e-bike could risk limiting access t recreational activities for many Oregonians.

The survey is open through August 31st. Take it here.

Stay tuned for the public comment period and any other news on this front.

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Oregon

Oregon Community Foundation grants $5M to boost growth statewide

Published

6 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Press Room

Oregon Community Foundation grants M to boost growth statewide

PORTLAND, Ore. — The Oregon Community Foundation has awarded more than $5 million through its community grants program.

The money is going to organizations working to expand access to education, health services, economic opportunity, arts and culture, and more!

There are several places across the state, including rural Oregon, that will be getting some of this grant money.

Jocelyn Beh, a program officer in economic vitality and housing at the Oregon Community Foundation, discusses how exactly these grants will impact the state.

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Oregon

Oregon City church catches fire on Christmas Day

Published

18 hours ago

December 26, 2025

Press Room

Oregon City church catches fire on Christmas Day

OREGON CITY Ore. (KPTV) – The Reformation Covenant Church in Oregon City caught fire on Christmas Day, according to Clackamas Fire.

“I personally, in my 25-year career, haven’t seen such a disastrous fire on Christmas Day,” said Clackamas County Fire Battalion Chief Josh Santos.

Firefighters responded to a reported fire at the church near John Quincy Adams St and 12th St just after 2 p.m.

Crews found the fire between the old and new roof of the church, and had to attack the fire from above as a result, according to the fire department.

“We prioritized putting people on the roof, cutting holes across the entire roof because of that void space and fire crews inside fighting the fire,” said Santos.

Clackamas Fire says while the fire was put out at around 3:30 p.m., crews will remain at the scene to ensure the fire doesn’t reignite.

“It breaks your heart,” said Santos. “The entire congregation is ruined with fire and smoke, and then holes in the roof, and then the office space itself has a lot of smoke damage and holes in the roof.”

Church was reportedly not in session at the time of the fire.

The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

“It’s unfortunate this won’t be in service for a while,” said Santos. “But we just have to celebrate being healthy, we have to celebrate being with your loved ones, and we’ll fix the church.”

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Oregon

Betting Odds Are Moving Ahead of Oregon vs. Texas Tech Orange Bowl

Published

1 day ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

Betting Odds Are Moving Ahead of Oregon vs. Texas Tech Orange Bowl

The Oregon Ducks and the Texas Tech Red Raiders are set to face off against each other in the Capital One Orange Bowl on Jan. 1. As this College Football Playoff quarterfinal game gets closer, the betting odds are moving in the Ducks favor.

Oregon Favored By 2.5 Points

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; James Madison Dukes head coach Bob Chesney and Oregon Ducks head coach Dan Lanning greet one another after the game at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

When it was confirmed that Oregon would be advancing to play Texas Tech after their first round playoff win over the James Madison Dukes, the betting line opened up on DraftKings Sportsbook with the Ducks as a 1.5-point favorite. Over the past few days, that number has increased a full point.

Oregon is now a 2.5-point favorite over the Red Raiders with odds of -125 to win outright. Texas Tech has odds to win outright of +105. The current over/under is at 52.5 points.

The movement indicates the public backing of coach Dan Lanning’s Ducks over the Big 12 Champion Red Raiders. Notably, ESPN’s matchup predictor gives Texas Tech a 51.6 percent chance to beat the Ducks.

MORE: Dan Lanning Reveals Oregon Ducks’ Christmas Plan Ahead Of Texas Tech

MORE: Tickets Surge For Oregon vs. Texas Tech In Historic Orange Bowl

MORE: Oregon Quarterback Dante Moore Becoming Biggest Question of NFL Draft

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Ducks Coming Off First Round Win

Dec 20, 2025; Eugene, OR, USA; Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) throws a pass during the third quarter against the James Madison Dukes at Autzen Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images | Troy Wayrynen-Imagn Images

Oregon comes into this game with a 12-1 record. Their lone loss came to the undefeated No. 1 ranked Indiana Hoosiers.

The Ducks beat James Madison by a final score of 51-34 in the first round to advance to the quarterfinals. The Ducks earned the No. 5 ranking in the playoff bracket, meaning they were the highest ranked team to not receive one of the four first round byes to the quarterfinals.

This is different to what happened last season for Oregon, as they entered that year’s playoff as the No. 1 ranked team with a bye to the quarterfinals. It didn’t end well, as Oregon was bounced immediately in their first game against the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Could not getting a bye this time around change the Ducks’ fortunes for the better and set up a long playoff run?

Texas Tech’s Elite Defense

Dec 6, 2025; Arlington, TX, USA; Texas Tech Red Raiders head coach Joey McGuire looks on during the game between the Red Raiders and the Cougars at AT&T Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images | Jerome Miron-Imagn Images

Texas Tech also enters this game with a record of 12-1. The Red Raiders last game was a Big 12 championship victory over the BYU Cougars. They earned the No. 4 ranking and first round bye to the quarterfinals. Their one loss this season was to the Arizona State Devils.

The Red Raiders are anchored by an elite defense that has allowed opponents to score an average of just 10.9 points per game. This is the third lowest points allowed in all of college football this season, behind only Indiana and Ohio State.

This defense will be a major challenge for Ducks’ quarterback Dante Moore and company. If Oregon wants to advance to the semi-finals, they will have to be on their “A game.”

Kickoff for this matchup is an early one for those on the west coast at 9 a.m. PT. The game will be broadcast on ESPN and announced by play-by-play announcer Joe Tessitore and color commentator Jesse Palmer.