What does the newly approved Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project mean for Lake Tahoe mountain biking and e-mountain biking in Tahoe—and how should you plan your summer rides right now?
TAMBA’s update is the headline: this approval unlocks the potential for 45+ miles of new multi-use trails, expands Class 1 e-bike access on 111.2 miles of existing trails, and sets the stage for a more connected, better-distributed trail network around the basin.
Why this matters if you love Lake Tahoe mountain biking
If you’ve ridden here for any length of time, you already know the pattern: a handful of marquee zones get crowded fast, parking overflows when conditions are prime, and it can feel like you’re either “in the mix” or you’re skipping the ride altogether.
This project is designed to change that—by expanding the overall trail system, improving connectivity, and creating more options that spread riders out across the basin. TAMBA specifically calls out how added trail mileage and new trailhead facilities can help reduce overcrowding on popular sections and limit neighborhood overflow parking by improving access where it makes sense.
The big takeaways from TAMBA’s announcement
Here are the headlines worth knowing (and sharing with your riding crew) & link to the article:
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Approved January 9, 2026.
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45+ miles of new multi-use trail opportunities (with a portion planned to be e-bike eligible).
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111.2 miles of existing non-motorized trails designated open to Class 1 e-bikes, plus 26.1 miles of new trails approved to be open to e-bikes.
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Three new trailheads and upgrades like signage, parking improvements, and stream/aquatic passage crossing upgrades are part of the Forest Service’s implementation scope.
If you want to read TAMBA’s full breakdown (and you should), start here: Basin Wide Trails Analysis Project – APPROVED, January 9, 2026.
Why this is a win for e-mountain biking in Tahoe (without turning everything “motorized”)
One point that gets misunderstood quickly: Class 1 e-bikes are being handled through specific trail designations, and “reclassification” does not mean trails suddenly open to every kind of motorized vehicle.
TAMBA explains it plainly: the intent is to designate certain trails open to Class 1 e-bikes—not dirt bikes, not throttle-powered bikes, and not other motorized use.
At the Forest Service level, the decision emphasizes that e-bike use is managed through travel management designations and maps (MVUM), which will be updated as implementation moves forward.
Timeline: what changes this summer vs. what’s longer-term
You’re planning things to do in Lake Tahoe in summer, so let’s separate “right now” from “next.”
For summer 2026 (this season):
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The project is approved, and the Forest Service notes project work is expected to start in June 2026, including trailhead work, signage, and various construction/designation activities.
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For e-bike access specifics, TAMBA points riders to Motor Vehicle Use Maps (MVUM) and notes updates are expected through the 2026 winter season.
For new trail construction:
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TAMBA shares that, while priorities/funding are still being determined, they hope to begin new trail development as early as Summer 2027.
Translation: your best move is to use this summer to explore what’s already incredible here—and stay plugged into updates as the network evolves.
Your summer planning tool: TAMBA’s trail map (and how to use it)
If you’re mapping out your Lake Tahoe mountain bike trails for summer, TAMBA points riders to Trailforks as their recommended tool for route research and navigation.
Start with TAMBA’s Trail Maps page here (this is the “hub” link you can share with friends coming to town):
A simple way to plan rides that fit your time and fitness:
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Pick your zone first (South Lake Tahoe, North Shore, West Shore, etc.).
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Choose the experience you want: flow, tech, views, or a longer point-to-point day.
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Build in margin for altitude, weather swings, and trail traffic.
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Have a backup route in case you arrive and a parking area is full.
What this means for South Lake Tahoe specifically
Because you’re riding (or visiting) South Lake Tahoe, connectivity and dispersal matter even more. When a trail system connects communities better, it can reduce the pressure on a few “default” trailheads and create more ways to access riding without funneling everyone into the same spots. That’s one of the core goals TAMBA highlights: connectivity, choice, community, and sustainability—all aimed at making the system work better for everyone who uses it.
Let’s get to the point:
If you care about Lake Tahoe mountain biking (and especially if e-mountain biking in Tahoe helps you ride more often, ride longer, or bring more people into the sport), this approval is a meaningful step: more trail mileage, more connectivity, clearer access designations, and a longer-term runway for new singletrack.
Read TAMBA’s full post for the clearest community-first explanation, then use their trail map hub to plan your next ride day.
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