Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMD)

Use of OPDMD in California State Parks

In conformance with Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), California State Parks is pleased to improve access for people with mobility disabilities by allowing the use of Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices (OPDMD) in areas where they can be operated safely, without posing substantial risk of serious harm to natural or cultural resources, and without fundamentally altering the nature of our services, programs, or activities.

Mobility devices help people with mobility disabilities enjoy greater freedom and independence. They include devices such as manual or power-driven wheelchairs, manually-powered devices, and other-powered devices.

Wheelchairs are devices designed primarily for use by an individual with a mobility disability for the main purpose of indoor, or of both indoor and outdoor locomotion, and include manual wheelchairs, power wheelchairs, and electric scooters. Manually powered devices include mobility aids such as walkers, crutches, canes, braces, and other similar devices.

Wheelchairs and manually-powered mobility aids are permitted into all areas where members of the public are allowed to go.

What are OPDMD?

OPDMD are any mobility device powered by batteries, fuel, or other engines—whether or not designed primarily for use by individuals with mobility disabilities—that is used by individuals with mobility disabilities for the purpose of locomotion, but that is not a wheelchair.

Who may use OPDMD?

The use of OPDMD in California State Parks is restricted to people with a qualifying disability as defined by Title II of the ADA (28 CFR Part 35 § 35.108). For the purposes of OPDMD use, a qualifying disability is any physical impairment that substantially limits a person's mobility.

All users of OPDMD are requested to provide credible assurance that the mobility device is required for locomotion because of their disability. Credible assurance may be provided by presenting to park staff a valid Access Pass issued by the National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Pass Program, valid proof of assignment of any state’s disabled parking placard, other valid government-issued proof of disability assigned to the person who will be using the OPDMD, or a valid doctor's note issued to the user of the OPDMD.

Individuals who provide only a verbal representation, not contradicted by observable fact, that the OPDMD is required because of a mobility disability will not be denied the benefit of an OPDMD. However, persons who falsely represent themselves as disabled to gain the benefits of using of an OPDMD in California state parks may be denied use of their device and are subject to citation and penalties.

Possession of credible assurance of a mobility disability is not a guarantee of, or automatic justification for, the use of any device as an OPDMD in the California State Park System. Only devices that meet approved assessment factors are authorized, with few exceptions (reference Approved Devices).

Approved Devices

In the California State Park System, the Trails Handbook describes the physical and design characteristics of state park trails, and minimum trail standards. These characteristics and standards, and federal assessment factors, are the basis upon which state park professionals evaluated the suitability of devices. Devices that meet all of the following criteria are approved for outdoor use, where approved (reference Approved Routes). Within indoor facilities including but not limited to park offices, visitor centers, and museums, only devices with a footprint equal to or less than 30 inches at its widest point and 48 inches at it longest point are permitted. All other assessment factors apply. Where a device does not meet one or more of the following criteria, reference OPDMD Deviation Requests.

Factor	Criteria	Justification
Size	OPDMD shall not be wider than 36 inches or longer than 50 inches. On electric bicycles and tricycles, the length shall be measured from the center point of the front axle to the center point of the rear axle, otherwise known as the wheelbase.	Assessment factors (i, ii, iii, v). Larger devices affect the safe flow of pedestrian traffic, impede safe passing of other users and devices, and may encounter issues with tight turning radius. Due to the physical and design characteristics of park routes, larger devices may stray from the established route, which creates a substantial risk of serious harm to the immediate environment and natural or cultural resources.
Weight	The overall weight of the OPDMD and user(s) shall not exceed 550 pounds.	Assessment factors (i, iii, iv, v). Heavier devices affect the ability of the device to stop quickly, which creates a substantial risk of serious harm to other users. Due to the physical and design characteristics of park routes, heavier devices may affect and degrade the composition and surface of park routes, and thus pose a substantial impact to the immediate environment, natural or cultural resources, and sustainability.
Speed	OPDMD shall not be operated at speeds exceeding 5 miles per hour (MPH), except where speeds greater than 5 MPH are authorized. At no time shall OPDMD be operated at speeds exceeding the maximum speed limit authorized.	Assessment factors (i, ii, iii). Considering the physical and design characteristics of park routes, devices operated at speeds greater than is safe for the route may affect the safe flow of pedestrian traffic and impede the safe passing of other users and devices.
Noise	OPDMD shall not produce noise levels more than 70 decibels (dB).	Assessment factors (iv, v). Noise pollution exceeding 70 dB may be a safety risk to other users, poses substantial risk of serious harm to natural resources such as wildlife, and may fundamentally alter the nature of the experience for other users.
Emissions	OPDMD shall not exceed zero emissions during use.	Assessment factor (v). Devices with emissions reduce air quality, affecting other users and harming natural resources. Emissions producing devices create a substantial risk of serious harm to the immediate environment and natural or cultural resources due to the fire dangers of a hot engine, potential spark emissions, and the remote nature of park routes.

 

Approved Routes

Devices, other than electric bicycles and tricycles, that meet all preceding assessment factors are approved for use as an OPDMD on the following outdoor routes within the California State Park System:

1. Class I trails that are designated accessible or multi-use.
2. Exterior routes of travel designed for pedestrian use within developed public use areas.
3. Controlled access roads such as fire roads.

Electric bicycles and tricycles that meet all assessment factors are approved for use as an OPDMD wherever manually powered bicycles and tricycles are permitted within park units of the California State Park System.

As of August 2024, devices other than electric bicycles and tricycles are approved on the following roads and trails in each District (more to come): 

OPDMD Deviation Requests

California State Parks will consider reasonable requests from people with disabilities under the following circumstances:

• When a disabled individual requests to use a device which has characteristics that deviate from one or more of the characteristics of an approved device as described in Approved Devices.
• When a disabled individual requests to use a device in a location that deviates from the list of approved routes as described in Approved Routes.

All requests should include the following information at a minimum:

• Credible proof that the device is required for locomotion due to a mobility disability. Please refer to the section on this page titled Who May Use OPDMD for the types of acceptable proof.
• A description of the requested device such as type of device, make/model, device length or wheelbase, overall device width, device weight (not including user), estimated noise level produced by the device, and whether the device produces emissions.
• A list of which state park unit(s) the device will be operated in, including the requested routes (road or trail names are appreciated). All requested routes will be evaluated for device suitability.

Requests may be submitted one of three ways:

1. Complete the online Google Form. This form requires a free Google account. Visit Create a Google Account for assistance.
2. Download the Microsoft Word form to your computer and fill it out electronically or by hand.
3. Written requests containing all required information may be submitted electronically to access@parks.ca.gov, or by US mail to:

Department of Parks and Recreation

Accessibility Division

P.O. Box 942896

Sacramento, CA 94296