E-Bikes On Durango Trails?
By: Sadie Schafer
The City of Durango recently banned e-bikes on Durango trails. This is a complex issue that concerns aspects relevant to our community such as recreation, health, environmental concerns, access for the elderly and the disabled, trail maintenance, and safety. These factors have caused a huge stir among the community, pressuring the Durango City Council to take a second look at the issue. Should e-bikes be banned on City of Durango trails?
What are E-bikes?
E-bikes are regular bicycles with electric motors that provide additional assistance. E-bikes can be run on electric power as well as by pedaling. E-bikes use batteries as a source of power and DC motors as driving mechanisms. On most e-bikes the motor is built into the wheel, with the batteries located in the rear rack or frame.
Current E-bike Regulations:
Though e-bikes are currently banned on Durango trails, there are some specificities to the law that cover unclear aspects of this issue:
When looking into the e-bike situation, there are several factors that play a role in the decision making:
E-bikes don't burn fossil fuels and release no harmful carbon emissions. Although power plants produce CO2 to generate power to charge the battery, the impact is minuscule when compared to automobiles. Though e-bikes are environmentally friendly, would enough people use them to cut down on the emissions caused by automobiles?
Community Voices:
Patrick Wenger:
Wenger believes e-bikes should not be allowed on mountain bike trails because they are motorized: “When you add motors to the River Trail, people will be going too fast.”
Wenger claims that he’s heard of more people crashing on the River Trail then anywhere else, and that adding electric bikes to the River Trail is far too dangerous.
Dave Seiler:
Seiler believes that e-bikes should be allowed on the River Trail as long as people are careful and warn people if they are behind. He stated that as long as people are courteous the idea of e-bikes on the River Trail is reasonable. Seiler claims that e-bikes should not be allowed on mountain bike trails because they are “cheating”. Seiler would not use an e-bike if they weren’t banned; he likes to pedal and exercise.
Alan Schenck:
Schenck does not agree with e-bikes on mountain bike trails because “there’s is not enough room for any motorized bikes.” He also feels that the River Trail is too crowded for e-bikes to be allowed on. Schenck would not use and e-bike because they are too expensive and he can get by just pedaling.
Jc Perfeet:
Perfeet feels that yes, e-bikes should be permitted on trails because they help people ride challenging uphills. She feels that e-bikes should not be allowed on River Trails because the River Trail is generally flat and people don’t need assistance from an e-bike. Though she says she would not use an e-bike if they were allowed on trails, she understands that they are a benefit for the elderly.
Joe Schafer:
Schafer feels that e-bikes should not be allowed on mountain bike trails because these trails are already impacted heavily by bikes, and to introduce another form of bicycles on trails would be too much. Schafer says that he does not see a difference between e-bikes and motorcycles.
He also feels that e-bikes should not be allowed on River Trails because these trails are too congested: “people go fast, people would go faster with e-bikes.”
Chris Roach:
Roach feels that e-bikes should be allowed on the River Trail because they offer opportunities for the elderly to experience the fun of biking. Roach says that e-bikes should not be allowed on mountain biking trails, because he would like to keep the outdoors pristine; having motors on trail systems is against his values.
By: Sadie Schafer
The City of Durango recently banned e-bikes on Durango trails. This is a complex issue that concerns aspects relevant to our community such as recreation, health, environmental concerns, access for the elderly and the disabled, trail maintenance, and safety. These factors have caused a huge stir among the community, pressuring the Durango City Council to take a second look at the issue. Should e-bikes be banned on City of Durango trails?
What are E-bikes?
E-bikes are regular bicycles with electric motors that provide additional assistance. E-bikes can be run on electric power as well as by pedaling. E-bikes use batteries as a source of power and DC motors as driving mechanisms. On most e-bikes the motor is built into the wheel, with the batteries located in the rear rack or frame.
Current E-bike Regulations:
Though e-bikes are currently banned on Durango trails, there are some specificities to the law that cover unclear aspects of this issue:
- In the United States, e-bikes are required to only generate 750 watts of power and not exceed 20 mph without human-powered pedal assistance.
- In Colorado, e-bikes can reach speeds of 20 mph on public roads and bike lanes.
- Municipalities have the right to determine if e-bikes will be allowed on paved bike trails.
- In Durango, people with disabilities who require motorized, ambulatory assistance can be exempt from e-bike laws.
- Disabled people may apply for a handicap placard from the Colorado Division of Motor Vehicles and become exempt from the law.
When looking into the e-bike situation, there are several factors that play a role in the decision making:
- Are e-bikes a safety hazard?
- What environmental benefits and drawbacks would e-bikes pose?
E-bikes don't burn fossil fuels and release no harmful carbon emissions. Although power plants produce CO2 to generate power to charge the battery, the impact is minuscule when compared to automobiles. Though e-bikes are environmentally friendly, would enough people use them to cut down on the emissions caused by automobiles?
- What is the best way to enforce necessary restrictions/regulations if not to ban e-bikes? Should motorized and human-powered traffic be separated somehow?
Community Voices:
Patrick Wenger:
Wenger believes e-bikes should not be allowed on mountain bike trails because they are motorized: “When you add motors to the River Trail, people will be going too fast.”
Wenger claims that he’s heard of more people crashing on the River Trail then anywhere else, and that adding electric bikes to the River Trail is far too dangerous.
Dave Seiler:
Seiler believes that e-bikes should be allowed on the River Trail as long as people are careful and warn people if they are behind. He stated that as long as people are courteous the idea of e-bikes on the River Trail is reasonable. Seiler claims that e-bikes should not be allowed on mountain bike trails because they are “cheating”. Seiler would not use an e-bike if they weren’t banned; he likes to pedal and exercise.
Alan Schenck:
Schenck does not agree with e-bikes on mountain bike trails because “there’s is not enough room for any motorized bikes.” He also feels that the River Trail is too crowded for e-bikes to be allowed on. Schenck would not use and e-bike because they are too expensive and he can get by just pedaling.
Jc Perfeet:
Perfeet feels that yes, e-bikes should be permitted on trails because they help people ride challenging uphills. She feels that e-bikes should not be allowed on River Trails because the River Trail is generally flat and people don’t need assistance from an e-bike. Though she says she would not use an e-bike if they were allowed on trails, she understands that they are a benefit for the elderly.
Joe Schafer:
Schafer feels that e-bikes should not be allowed on mountain bike trails because these trails are already impacted heavily by bikes, and to introduce another form of bicycles on trails would be too much. Schafer says that he does not see a difference between e-bikes and motorcycles.
He also feels that e-bikes should not be allowed on River Trails because these trails are too congested: “people go fast, people would go faster with e-bikes.”
Chris Roach:
Roach feels that e-bikes should be allowed on the River Trail because they offer opportunities for the elderly to experience the fun of biking. Roach says that e-bikes should not be allowed on mountain biking trails, because he would like to keep the outdoors pristine; having motors on trail systems is against his values.