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OSMP reports minimal conflicts after 15 months of e‑bike allowance on select trails
Summary
Open Space staff said class 1 and class 2 e‑bikes have been allowed on certain trails since July 1, 2023; staff reported minimal complaints, seven ranger interactions regarding noncompliant e‑bike use in roughly 15 months, and that monitoring and education will continue.
Open Space and Mountain Parks staff on Jan. 15 presented a 15‑month review of the department’s implementation of e‑bike access policies and said the pilot has produced few enforcement issues to date.
OSMP staff reminded the board that as of July 1, 2023, the department allows class 1 and class 2 e‑bikes on trails that permit biking east of Broadway or U.S. 36 and on a select set of west‑of‑Broadway trails (South Foothills, Wonderland Lake, Boulder Canyon and Chapman Drive). Casey French, who presented the update, said OSMP’s primary goals for allowing e‑bikes were to increase equitable access to trails, provide a consistent experience across interconnected trail systems, enable adaptive management, and support broader city climate goals by reducing vehicle miles traveled.
Staff described a four-part management approach that includes trail design and maintenance, monitoring, enforcement and education. Education and outreach materials were updated and staff and volunteers have focused on visitor education. Casey French told the board that rangers recorded seven interactions specifically related to e‑bike noncompliance over the roughly 15‑month review period, and that OSMP has seen minimal public feedback or conflict attributable to e‑bike access.
OSMP said it added distinct e‑bike categories to its on‑site intercept survey in 2024 and began collecting systematic bike/e‑bike parking counts at trailheads; staff said analysis of that data is ongoing and no “glaring red flags” have emerged. Staff emphasized adaptive management: additional maintenance or community engagement steps could follow if monitoring indicates problems. Trustees asked about ADA and disability access rules; staff said mobility devices used for disability are allowed without proof of disability and that rangers do not ask for medical details when a visitor asserts a disability.
