Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Ebikes Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Carbondale commission to weigh input on BLM scoping for e-bikes at Red Hill
Summary
Commissioners discussed a regional BLM rulemaking about class 1 e-bikes, expressed safety concerns for heavily used Red Hill trails and agreed to continue deliberations at the March meeting with maps and potential BLM or Red Hill representatives invited. A conservation easement on town-owned land was cited as a limiting factor.
The Carbondale Bike & Pedestrian Commission discussed whether to advise the Bureau of Land Management on proposed rulemaking that could allow class 1 e-bikes on trail systems that connect to the town's Red Hill property.
Speaker 7 described the BLM scoping process and offered three basic positions the commission could recommend: prohibit e-bikes on BLM lands in the region, allow them across the region, or adopt a site-by-site approach that matches trail characteristics. He also told the commission that a conservation easement on the town-owned portion of Red Hill prohibits motorized vehicles.
Several members said Red Hill's heavy pedestrian use and narrow shared uphill/downhill segments warrant caution. "The conservation easement that we got as part of the Red Hill property purchase actually says no motorized vehicle," Speaker 7 said, noting that BLM jurisdiction and any rule would apply to adjacent federal land.
Speaker 2 cautioned that the assessment of recent parking and trail work estimated roughly 65,000 users and said that a heavy majority of those are likely walkers, arguing that allowing heavier e-bikes in that context could worsen user conflict.
Commissioners requested a map that delineates town-owned versus BLM land and asked staff to invite a BLM representative and a Red Hill steward to the March meeting. The commission agreed to place the e-bike discussion on the March agenda so members can consider public input and, if desired, craft formal guidance the trustees could adopt before the BLM draft stage.
Next steps: Speaker 7 will try to provide a clear map of the Red Hill boundary and may arrange for a BLM staff member to attend the March meeting. The commission reserved the right to submit scoping comments but noted that the Board of Trustees would issue the town's official position on any draft rule.
