(COLORADO SPRINGS) — The changes involving electric bikes and public trails in Colorado Springs are now upon us. Starting Tuesday, July 1, some e-bikes will be allowed to use some open trails around the city.
“I believe if it can be done in a responsible and safe way, I don’t see why we shouldn’t have them,” said Evan Wish, a visitor from Texas.
The e-bike debate has been going on since late February, when City Council passed these changes. During that time, some have questioned how safe the trails will be with some e-bikes being allowed, while others don’t think it will be problematic. Josh Tran is from Texas and visited Garden of the Gods on Monday, but says he just started riding a regular bike back home and sees e-bikes being used in his area.
“I definitely see how it can be a hazard because it’s like you’re just on this thing and it’s a lot heavier than all the other bikes,” Tran said.
The new rules regarding e-bikes will happen in phases. The first one will allow class one e-bikes. This classifies bikes with motors that only help you pedal and don’t go faster than 20 MPH. Some of the trails that will allow certain e-bikes include the Foothills Trail next to Garden of the Gods and the Midland Trail along Highway 24.
“The number one thing is safety, of course, over anything, there are definitely things you need to look into,” Wish said.
Some signs at certain parks will not reflect new rules for certain trails, as they still ban e-bikes, like at the Red Rocks Canyon Open Space in Old Colorado City. City leaders did implement guidelines before this new ordinance goes into effect. The rules focus on operating e-bikes in a safe and proper manner, but also yielding to oncoming pedestrians and only being on the trails during operating hours. Tran says enforcement will be key in making sure people follow the rules.
“I totally would not want to see someone just like, drunk, like crazy,” Tran said.
But while the intent is to slowly implement e-bikes, only time will tell how these changes will pan out.
The city has said phase two would look into potentially allowing class one e-bikes on more spaces in Colorado Springs, but as of now, there is no timeline set to do so.
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