Westminster, MD, July 20, 2023 – Today in Open Session, the Carroll County Board of Commissioners (BCC) approved an Amendment to the Carroll County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 94, section 94.033 to allow usage of Class 1 E-Bikes on designated trails in county-owned parks.  The motion also included the addition of expanding efforts to educate trail users about trail etiquette. The multipurpose trails affected include those at Gillis Falls, the undeveloped side of Piney Run Park, Union Mills, Hashawha and Speigel Hill.

On June 29, 2023, the BCC conducted a public hearing to hear comments on the proposed Amendment and kept the record open for ten calendar days.

Before the public hearing, the Department of Recreation and Parks received public comments regarding the issue of E-Bike usage on trails and reviewed the Code with the Recreation and Parks Advisory Board. Upon the recommendation of the advisory board, the department proposed a change to the Carroll County Code of Ordinances, Chapter 94 Park and Recreation Section 94.033 to include a statement allowing for usage of Class 1 E-Bikes only, on designated trails in county parks.

Open session meetings are available for viewing on the county meeting portal and the county YouTube channel. In addition, all meetings will be replayed on Comcast Channel 24.