The New York Coalition for Recreational Fishing (NYCRF) has issued a statement addressing recent online discussions surrounding e-bike access in Long Island State Parks, noting that some information being shared has been inaccurate or misleading.
According to NYCRF, current New York State Parks policy permits Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on boardwalks and paved or improved multi-use trails unless specifically prohibited by local signage. However, e-bikes remain prohibited on natural-surface trails and paths unless otherwise authorized. Beaches are not specifically included within the permitted-use categories.
The organization noted that enforcement can vary among individual State Parks, with park managers given discretion over local policies. Caumsett State Park, for example, continues to prohibit bicycles on beachfront areas.
NYCRF also clarified that recent bike closures at Robert Moses State Park and Democrat Point were related to piping plover protection measures, not complaints from fishing or conservation groups. Officials reportedly observed bicycle tracks within protected nesting areas, prompting increased restrictions.
The coalition emphasized that the actions of riders who ignore fencing and posted regulations pose the greatest threat to continued e-bike access on public beaches. NYCRF further stated that neither it nor other fishing organizations, including LIBBA and MSA, have advocated for banning e-bikes from beaches, instead supporting increased enforcement against users who violate existing rules.
