Ebike Policy

Colorado Springs Parks EBike Policy Change

E-Bike Pilot Postponed

Expand Class 1 e-bike access & Class 2 e-bikes on City-owned urban trails postponed until further notice

The Parks, Recreation & Cultural Services department announced Monday May 24th the postponement of its electrical assisted bicycle (e-bike) pilot program until further notice. The one-year pilot program, which proposes to expand Class 1 e-bike access to all City-owned trails and allow Class 2 e-bikes on City-owned urban trails for the first time, was set to begin May 31. The delayed start will allow the department to continue its due diligence in seeking further clarification on the definition of e-bikes and its alignment with the Code of the City of Colorado Springs.

E-bike usage has significantly increased in recent years, prompting communities nationwide to look at and update trail policies. The pilot program, a result of listening to the local community and research of e-bike allowances in other communities, was created to evaluate e-bike usage and how it impacts the trail system and overall user experience in Colorado Springs. One of the strongest arguments heard in favor of allowing e-bikes to use the same trails as bicycles is inclusion and connecting people who represent all ages and abilities to recreation and commuting opportunities.

Colorado Springs has allowed since February 2018 Class 1 e-bikes on urban trails only. Urban trails, like Cottonwood Creek, Foothills, Pikes Peak Greenway and the Sand Creek trails, are typically described as local commuting and recreational trails that traverse neighborhoods and connect to the city’s core urban areas. E-bikes are also allowed on trails if the rider has obtained an other power-driven mobility device (OPDMD) permit through the Office of Accessibility. This permits the use of OPDMD’s by individuals with mobility disabilities in areas open to pedestrian use, including trails. These uses will continue to be allowed.

The Colorado Springs Parks Department is implementing an updated E-Bike Trail Access policy through a one year pilot program.

With E-Bikes becoming more and more popular “We’re at a point, now, where we’re ready to test what expanded e-bike access looks like in our community,” said Scott Abbott, regional parks manager. “During the year-long pilot program, which is a result of listening to the community and extensive research, we will evaluate usage and how it impacts the trail system and the overall user experience. We want to make sure the new policy is working and is the right decision for our community.”

COS Parks E-Bike Pilot Policy – effective May 31st

  • Urban Trails (Tier 1/2) – Class I and II E-Bikes permitted
  • All Trails – Class I permitted on all trails including single track
  • Institute trail speed limit – 15MPH

Bike COS would like to extend a thankyou to everybody who participated in the Parks department’s survey conducted this fall. This survey provided great insight for Parks staff to understand the public’s thought on the role E-Bikes should play in the future of our city’s trail network.

The decision to implement the pilot program was reached following stakeholder meetings and a community-wide survey in November 2020 that collected input on the possible expansion of e-bike access on trails. More than 1,600 surveys were received.

E-bike usage has significantly increased in recent years, prompting communities nationwide to look at and update trail policies. Colorado Springs first started allowing Class 1 e-bikes on urban trails in February 2018. Urban trails, like Cottonwood Creek, Foothills, Pikes Peak Greenway and the Sand Creek trails, are typically described as local commuting and recreational trails that traverse neighborhoods and connect to the City’s core urban areas.

Over the next six weeks the parks department will be working to improve materials related to this pilot program including an updated website, on trail signage and initial programming. The Parks team will also be collaborating with stake holders to develop public education programming including Leave No Trace messaging, Public Service Announcements, Rules and Regulations, Education Programing and Educational Signage. The Parks department will also Collaborate with various local ambassador programs, including the our Bicycle Ambassador Program, to roll out the Pilot E-Bike program.

E-Bike classifications are defined at both Federally and at a state level
Class 1 E-Bikes are pedal assist only with a max assisted speed of 20mph
Class 2 E-Bikes are pedal assist and throttle controlled with a max assisted speed of 20mph

Below are details that will be launched May 31st

Trail Speed Limit Implemented – 15MPH

Urban Trails

The mission and goals of Bike Colorado Springs, related to E-Bikes, focus more directly on our city’s urban trail network and the use of EBikes or EMobility vehicles for transportation. Click through for our complete position and a more detailed description of the Conversation that occurred in October.

Currently, only Class 1 E-Bikes are allowed on tier 1/2 urban trails, this change will allow a broader range of E-Bikes on our urban trail network allowing for increased transportation use of this great resource.

Starting May 31st Class 1 and Class 2 E-Bikes will be allowed on Colorado Springs Parks Tier 1/2 urban trails

Singletrack and Tier 3 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. These are what are generally thought of as Singletrack or Doubletrack trails. These trails are found in Red Rock Canyon or Ute Valley Park open spaces or throughout Garden of the Gods or North Cheyenne Cañon parks.

As of May 31st Class 1 E-Bikes will be allowed on all Colorado Spring Parks Trails

Bike COS would like to extend a thankyou to everybody who participated in the Parks department’s survey conducted this fall. This survey provided great insight for Parks staff to understand the public’s thought on the role E-Bikes should play in the future of our city’s trail network.

Survey chart slides shown to your right, the complete slide deck presented to parks board is available here.

Colorado Springs EBike Reference information

Urban Trails

This City Urban Trail reference and Map describes types (tiers) of urban trails, note that some of these examples are inconsistent with the current trail network. 

City Urban Trail Map Link (map last updated in 2008)

COS EBike Reference

The city EBike Page shows that some trails are open to e-bikes by name, excludes their use on “multi-use” trails, with a definition that is inconsistent with the Urban Trail descriptions. There is no definition of “system trails”, typically thought of as more narrow, soft surface walking/hiking trails  in places like Palmer Park, Pulpit rock, etc.

City of Colorado Spring EBike Reference Page

TOSC Bikeway Map

This document was first produced by TOSC as a map showing where EBikes are allowed on Colorado Springs Trails. The map has since been change to the Urban Trail Map but is currently the clearest understanding that we have of where EBikes are currently allowed in Colorado Springs.

Map Link available here

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