Denver Parks seeks rule making for "e-devices"

[Bobsiii]

Denver Parks has established a 180 day "temporary rule directive" (why can't bureaucrats speak English?) allowing what they call e-devices on Parks trails until Oct 15, followed by a public hearing and rule making.

"E-devices are defined as electric and/or battery-powered bicycles, scooters, skateboards, “Segways”, unicycles and similar standing or sitting low-powered mobility devices." Wheelchairs???

https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-parks-and-recreation/parks/trails.html

Technically only manual power allowed before this, never seen any enforcement. I see a good number of scooters, not sure I'd recognize an e-bike in passing while riding, a few skateboards etc. Crowding varies by the trails, heavy use on weekends around Confluence Park (Cherry Creek & Platte River, both with good trails)

 

[6zfshdb]

Denver Parks has established a 180 day "temporary rule directive" (why can't bureaucrats speak English?) allowing what they call e-devices on Parks trails until Oct 15, followed by a public hearing and rule making.

"E-devices are defined as electric and/or battery-powered bicycles, scooters, skateboards, “Segways”, unicycles and similar standing or sitting low-powered mobility devices." Wheelchairs???

https://www.denvergov.org/content/denvergov/en/denver-parks-and-recreation/parks/trails.html

Technically only manual power allowed before this, never seen any enforcement. I see a good number of scooters, not sure I'd recognize an e-bike in passing while riding, a few skateboards etc. Crowding varies by the trails, heavy use on weekends around Confluence Park (Cherry Creek & Platte River, both with good trails)

Thanks for posting this.

I have a problem with pedal assisted "E-devices" being lumped in with totally self powered devices. Under this rule, some idiot
on an e-scooter or skateboard, harassing other trail users, is going to get e-bikes banned as well. They are mixing apples and oranges here. It's distressing that they don't recognize the difference.

 

[Bobsiii]

Thanks for posting this. Under this rule, some idiot
on an e-scooter or skateboard, harassing other trail users, is going to get e-bikes banned as well.

That's what scares me. I think this is a reaction to the e-scooter/bike dump Denver got last year, and the description of their process sounds off, somehow, to me as well as their over-broad definitions.

 

[6zfshdb]

That's what scares me. I think this is a reaction to the e-scooter/bike dump Denver got last year, and the description of their process sounds off, somehow, to me as well as their over-broad definitions.

I fear they are expecting a public outcry against these e-devices and set up this temporary rule just to appease supporters. I hope there are enough e-bike supporters in Denver who will attend the Oct. 15th ruling to let our voice be heard.

 

[Bobsiii]

We've got a group ride Sat morn, I'll make sure to bring it up.

 

[Chopperbill]

Well the present governor is against any thing fossil fuel. One would think electric bikes would be ok. Frankly I think they want a ban on certain types of people. By the way Denver and Boulder are IN Colorado and there is were most of COLORADO Is.

 

[Ken M]

Lawmakers are in a serious pinch. The fact that ebikes like the Footloose and kinds bikes like the Skuute have been sold for years legally as bikes has pretty much decimated the idea that functional pedals are required to classify a 2 or 3-wheeled "whatever" as a bike. I really question that there is a legitimate safety issue driving this and it's more about the dockless products just being left and dumped everywhere.

There may be a few reckless ebike riders out there giving all ebikers a bad name but there have been reckless spandexters around for decades and no one felt the need to come down hard on all bikers. Let's assume common sense will prevail.

 

[Bobsiii]

Let's assume common sense will prevail.

Experience has taught me to never do this, esp when gov't is involved..

 

[Ken M]

Experience has taught me to never do this, esp when gov't is involved..

I'm simply counting on government and insurance companies to realize that they will be the gate keepers of ebike potential. If they decide they are going to insist on sub-32kph assist speeds, licence and registration fees, and motorcycle-level insurance policies then the human scale transportation potential of ebikes will be squandered by greed and ignorance.

This technology should be supported, no undermined. We don't need to be getting in large heavy vehicles for every single trip from home. The potential of ebike technology can be revolutionary but mindsets need to be altered a bit and government support will be essential.

 

[ilanarama]

Here in Durango (also Colorado, but a much smaller city than Denver!) what seemed to tip the balance a few years ago, in reversing the existing ban on e-bikes on our multi-use trails, was the number of letters to city council that essentially said, "I'm old and the pedal assist lets me remain active and also, I can run errands on a bike rather than in a car, and isn't that better for the environment and traffic and parking problems?" The council instituted a one-year pilot program allowing e-bikes, and when the year was over (last September) the "un-ban" quietly became permanent.