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Commission weighs Red Hill e‑bike alternatives as BLM advances NEPA scoping
Summary
Staff presented trail‑use counts (about 45,000 individual users, ~7,000 bikers) and the BLM NEPA schedule; commissioners debated three options—allow e‑bikes, ban them, or allow them on Sudie/Sudi Ranch only—and largely favored a split approach while urging robust public comment during scoping (Feb. 23–Mar. 25).
Parks & Rec staff briefed commissioners on data and a public process connected to a Bureau of Land Management (BLM) proposal affecting Red Hill trails, including whether Class 1 e‑bikes should be allowed.
Staff said trail counters recorded "90,000 heartbeats going past our counters" which staff interpreted as about 45,000 individual users and estimated roughly 7,000 of those were on bikes. The busiest months were April and May, with March also high; peak hours were around 8–9 a.m. Staff said the BLM’s scoping window runs Feb. 23–Mar. 25, with a draft environmental assessment anticipated in spring and a decision possibly in June.
Commissioners discussed three policy alternatives: allow Class 1 e‑bikes on all Red Hill trails, prohibit e‑bikes entirely, or adopt a split approach that allows e‑bikes on the Sudie/Sudi Ranch parcel but not on the technical front/access side where shared use with hikers is most acute. Multiple speakers raised concerns about trail degradation, faster/heavier bikes creating more wear, limited enforcement and safety where hikers predominate.
One staff presenter offered a personal vision that the town could allow Class 1 e‑bikes on the Sudie parcel but not beyond a clear junction onto the front side of Red Hill: "...you could ride a ebike over on Sudi, and then there'd be a trail junction that would take you down the front side and say, nope. No e bikes beyond here." Commissioners said the topic should be part of the town’s scoping comments and that the commission could return with draft language for a recommendation.
No formal commission position was adopted at the meeting; the informal consensus among members present leaned toward the split approach that would allow e‑bikes in some areas while restricting them on the technical front side. Staff will collect additional information from BLM, Red Hill Council and other stakeholders and return with materials for a March meeting to consider a draft recommendation to submit during the comment period.
