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Do e-bikes belong on public trails?

City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) is considering and evaluating the use of e-bikes on some city open space trails. This proposal would allow class-1 and class-2 e-bikes on the Boulder Canyon Trail, the trails that exist on the plains, the trails east of Broadway Avenue in Boulder, east of the North Foothills U.S. 36 corridor to the north of Boulder, and Colo. 93 to the south of city limits (which equates to 34 miles of open space trails).

A Class 1 e-bike is a low-speed pedal-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the e-bike reaches 20 mph. A Class 2 e-bike is a low-speed throttle-assisted electric bicycle equipped with a throttle-actuated motor, that ceases to provide assistance when the e-bike reaches 20 mph.

According to the OSMP, “If e-bikes are a desired or envisioned use on a trail located on land managed by OSMP, it requires open space land to be disposed of by selling, transferring, or giving it to another public agency.” That requirement is found in the current City of Boulder’s ordinances.

OSMP’s online recommendation goes on to state, “Disposal is not typically a preferred approach. Amending the city’s e-bike policy on OSMP may provide flexibility and alternatives to disposal in situations where e-bikes are an envisioned or desired use. Amending the city’s e-bike policy on OSMP is also being considered and evaluated to determine if a change would better meet the needs of the community, improve access to more ages and abilities of visitors, provide consistent regulations with adjacent public land managers and support broader climate goals.”

Although the staff has conducted a preliminary evaluation and is in support of allowing e-bikes on the plains trails and the Boulder Canyon trail, the OSMP has also put forth two other alternatives: Alternative A would allow e-bikes on all OSMP multi-use trails that allow bikes (which equates to 54 miles); and Alternative C would allow e-bikes on OSMP interconnected multi-use trails that allows bikes (which equates to 25 miles).

Currently, the LoBo Trail which passes through Niwot and Gunbarrel is off-limits to e-bikes south of the Highway 52 underpass. A small sign at the entrance to the underpass indicates that e-bikes are not allowed, as the trail crosses into city-owned open space from Boulder County open space. Thus e-bike riders heading south to Gunbarrel are forced to travel on Highway 52 east to 79th Street or west to 71st Street, to get to Gunbarrel. Both are 2-lane roads without a shoulder for bikes.

Other entry points to the LoBo Trail as it traverses City of Boulder open space do not have similar signs, so e-bike riders may be unaware of the prohibition.

The County of Boulder has allowed e-bikes on its trails since 2019, when a study was completed showing that e-bike riders actually travel slower than traditional bikes on average. Colorado state law also defines Class 1 and Class 2 ebikes as non-motorized vehicles, but the City of Boulder’s regulations take precedence over state law definitions.

Some local residents have expressed support for the e-bike proposal, citing injuries or disabilities. Resident Margee Sullivan injured her spinal cord and has been riding an e-bike as it is much easier on her back than a regular bike. “My e-bike allows me to ride places I cannot otherwise access,” said Sullivan.

The proposal also is supported by Community Cycles, a nonprofit cycling advocacy organization and bike shop in Boulder. “E-bikes are a really great tool for commuting longer distances without a car,” Executive Director Sue Prant said in an email. “Sometimes that means you need to use an OSMP trail, especially in the case of South Boulder Creek and Boulder Canyon trails.”

Tom Myer and his wife have been able to commute to work and run errands by using an e-bike. Now, they increasingly rely on OSMP trails. “I certainly go much slower than road cyclists who can get up to 30 mph or higher,” said Myer. “The trails give me access to bikeways that are much safer than (the) shoulder of the roads in Boulder.”

However, one resident, Scott Upton, argued that Boulder should consider building more trails for mountain bikes before opening up the trails to e-bikes.

“Otherwise, they’re just putting more pressure on an already small network of trails,” said Upton. “I think e-bikes are an amazing, amazing replacement for cars. I wish more people would commute on them or use them to get groceries,” he added. “I just think we need to be more careful on singletrack.”

The OSMP has uploaded a questionnaire for Boulder County residents to share their input on whether or not e-bikes belong on trails, and if so, which alternative is the best one? The questionnaire will remain open through August 8, and you can find it through this web link: https://bouldercolorado.gov/projects/osmp-evaluation-e-bikes-trails#section-19774.

 

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