E-Bikes and Open Space Trails

Jefferson County, Colorado, an outdoor recreation paradise located between Denver and the Front Range, will begin allowing electric-assist bikes (e-bikes) on its trails.

1 minute read

March 2, 2018, 1:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Open Space Trails

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"As part of a pilot project, Class 1 electric bicycles are allowed on natural surface trails within Jeffco Open Space parks. Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on the parks’ paved trails," reports Holly Graham.

The hope is that allowing e-bikes on trails will enable more people to experience the out doors, but the county will be testing the idea for safety effects and any additional wear and tear on the trails.

Around the country, the widespread adoption of e-bikes has caused perhaps a surprising variety of policy responses. Some cities, starting with Birmingham, Alabama in 2015, have included e-bikes in municipal bikeshare fleets (Baltimore's bikeshare system also includes e-bikes). New York, on the other hand, has prohibited delivery riders from using e-bikes in the name of "Vision Zero."

Monday, February 26, 2018 in The Denver Post

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