Acadia to allow e-bikes to use famous carriage trails

BAR HARBOR, Maine (AP) — Acadia National Park visitors are going to be able to ride motorized electric bikes on 57 miles (92 kilometers) of carriage paths meandering across the federal land.

Park officials announced Thursday that Acadia will abide by an Interior Department directive to treat them like regular bicycles when it comes to trail access. But the park is limiting trail access to only pedal-assisted e-bikes with a top speed of 20 mph.

E-bikes that use pedals assisted by electric motors represent the fastest-growing segment of the bicycle industry. Supporters say they're great for older riders who might not otherwise be able to ride.

But critics are concerned that they're too fast and could startle horses. They also say the Rockefeller family that donated the roads intended for there to be motorized vehicles.