Experience Garden Of The Gods Car Free with Motorless Mornings 2022
Garden of the Gods Park will be closed to vehicles on Saturday, April 30th from 5a.m. – Noon for the 1st Motorless Morning of 2022
After another successful year of Motorless opperation at Garden of the Gods park with Early Bird Hike & Bikes and Motorless Mornings the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services department is offering another opportunity for people to enjoy the park and its roadways without vehicles.
April 30th is the 1st Motorless Morning of 2022
A weekend event allowing only foot traffic, bicycles, and skateboard to use the Garden of the Gods roadways from 5a.m – Noon
Fall Motorless Morning: Saturday, October 8
May 25th is the 1st Early Bird Hike & Bike of 2021
Wednesdays: May 25, June 29, July 27, Aug. 31 and Sept. 28 from from 5-8 a.m.
For these weekday events normal park rules will apply meaning skateboards and longboards are not permitted during these events.
Motorless morning Guidelines, Details and Background
Motorless morning Press release
On Saturday, April 30, the City of Colorado Springs’ Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services Department will host a Motorless Morning in Garden of the Gods Park. The special event will eliminate motor vehicle access within the park from 5 a.m.-noon. The department is also offering five Early Bird Hike & Bikes, which are monthly weekday motorless events from 5-8 a.m.
The first Motorless Morning was held in April 2018 and Early Bird Hike & Bikes were introduced in 2020.
Motorless Morning, April 30
During Motorless Morning, park rules and regulations, including speed limits, apply; however, skateboards and longboards are welcome on park roads. There will also be designated slow zones and one-way traffic. Visitors can park their vehicles at the Garden of the Gods Visitor and Nature Center (1805 30th Street), Garden of the Gods Trading Post (324 Beckers Lane, Manitou Springs) or in the overflow parking lot at Rock Ledge Ranch Historic Site (corner of 30th Street and Gateway Road).
Due to the 30th Street Corridor Project, parking in the overflow lot will be limited. 30th Street will be closed in both directions between Gateway and Mesa roads. Access to Garden of the Gods Park and the Visitor & Nature Center will be open with access from the south on 30th Street. Visitors should follow all onsite detour signs and prepare for congestion when entering and exiting the park.
Designated parking for persons with disabilities is available at the Garden of the Gods Visitor & Nature Center. From the visitor center, a shuttle into the main parking lot will be available upon request on Motorless Morning for those guests who need it. All park visitors will have access to accessible routes into and throughout the park, and the City will permit the use of other power-driven mobility devices (OPDMD), per its OPDMD policy.
Early Bird Hike & Bikes
Early Bird Hike & Bikes will take place from 5-8 a.m. on the following Wednesdays: May 25, June 29, July 27, Aug. 31 and Sept. 28. Park rules and regulations apply, and per normal park rules, skateboards and longboards are not permitted during these events. Construction on 30th Street may impact these dates. Adjustments to the schedule will be publicized.
Motorless morning on road rules
No motor vehicles are allowed. Even though there are no cars, there are many different ways that people may use the road during this morning. Share the road and be aware of your surroundings.
Slow down and enjoy. The speed limit is 20 mph throughout the park.
People downhill of you have the right of way. Control your speed and announce yourself to others when attempting to pass.
Even when you’re not on a hill, it’s always a good idea to make your presence known to other users, particularly when approaching from behind.
One way roads remain one way. Aside from vehicles not being allowed all other rules, including one way traffic, remain in place.
Please don’t block the road. Allow room for other users to pass safely. You may need to form a single file line, or in some areas step to the side to let others pass.
Pets are welcome, but must be on leash at all times and all pet waste removed. Be aware of the length of your leash and your surroundings.
As always, e-assist bicycles are allowed, as are all other power-driven mobility devices (OPDMD) and inline or roller skates.
Stay alert. Always be on the lookout for other users. Wear only one earbud while listening to music for both personal safety and awareness.
Bike Colorado Springs Motorless operations involvement and Support
Bike Colorado Springs has been part of ongoing conversations with members of city council and Parks staff, in hopes of expanding motorless operations in Garden of the Gods Park. This Early Bird Hike & Bike with motorless operations are a great step forward. Our position at BikeCOS has been that motorless operations are a reasonable operating condition for our parks and don’t necessarily need to be treated as special events.
Be on the lookout for the blue vests of the Bike Colorado Springs Bicycle Ambassadors
BikeCOS Ambassadors
Teach! Unite! Advocate! for a better bicycle community in our city and region. If you are a community-minded individual, we are looking for people like you help us make a Bicycle Ambassador Program a reality in the Pikes Peak Region
BikeCOS is excited to helping the parks department again with our BikeCOS ambassadors helping to direct users during this morning of motorless operations. Learn more about our Bicycle Ambassador Program by clicking on the link above
