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Department:
Bikes, Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services
Planning Phase

Survey Closed

This survey is now closed. Thank you to every resident who provided feeback.

Why are we collecting feedback?

As land managers for the Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department, we always strive to do what’s best for your park, trail and open space infrastructure, while at the same time providing an excellent recreational experience. As we look at the increasing use of e-bikes, it’s important to us to know how members of our community citywide are observing, using and interacting with this rapidly-evolving and popular technology. 

Colorado Springs trail policy for e-bikes

Currently, Colorado Springs allows Class 1 (pedal assist) e-bikes on all urban trails. These are wide, multi-surface trails that run throughout the city and are commonly referred to as “commuter” trails. Categorized as “Tier 1” and “Tier 2,” these are trails like the Pikes Peak Greenway, and Rock Island and Cottonwood Creek trails, just to name a few. Our city has more than 100 miles of urban trails.

Urban trails, however, represent only a portion of the trail infrastructure that is managed by the parks department. There is also an extensive network of trails within our larger regional parks and open spaces. These trails are almost always naturally surfaced and generally multi-use, meaning they are shared among the likes of hikers, cyclists, joggers, dog walkers and equestrians. Categorized as “Tier 3” trails, these are found in Red Rock Canyon or Ute Valley Park open spaces or throughout Garden of the Gods or North Cheyenne Cañon parks. E-bikes, of any kind, are not permitted on these park and open space trails at this time.

Read the full policy.

Common community-voiced benefits of expanding e-bike access on City trails

  • Riders of differing abilities (due to age, ability, skill level, etc.) can ride together
  • People can ride like they used to when they were younger or more able, and e-bikes expand their recreational options
  • Allowing e-bikes on City trails will better align with regulations for county, state and federal-owned trails so riders can better connect with different trails throughout the region
  • Because it can alleviate parking issues at trailheads
  • E-bikes have rapidly grown in popularity and riders want to extend access to trails

Common community-voiced concerns of expanding e–bike access on City trails:

  • Because any expansion of e-bike access opens the door to other electric vehicles on trails
  • There’s a lack of enforcement or regulations on use
  • Because e-bikes have motors, and these are non-motorized trails
  • Because the addition of motorized vehicles will change the user experiences on trails
  • May increase conflicts between users on trails (social impacts)
  • Concerned about the physical impact they may have on trails

What is an e-bike?

An e-bike is a vehicle with 2-3 wheels, fully operable pedals and an electric motor not exceeding 750 watts of power. All e-bikes must meet the conditions for one of the three designated e-bike classes.

Class 1: Equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.

Class 2: Equipped with a motor that provides assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedaling, but ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.

Class 3: Equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour.

Other Agency Trail Policies for E-bikes