COLORADO SPRINGS — Electric bikes are increasing on Southern Colorado roads and trails. "I feel the momentum, said E-Bike rider, Ron Ramsey, “I also feel the pushback." The e-bike trend also brings questions of, if and where they should be allowed.
Ramsey and his wife Debbie are retired and wanting to remain active. Debbie used to race and tour on bicycles. She was sidelined after a series of knee replacement surgeries. An e-bike gives her an assist that allows her to get back to cycling. "This has made it very possible for him and I to get out and have more adventures together.”
The couple has also been confronted on local trails. "Told us it was against the law to be in the park. They cursed at us. Ran us off. That's what prompted us to get involved and try to change the rules," said Ron. They followed up and found their bikes are not allowed on most trials. They want a rule change.
"They're clearly really popular. Momentum is picking up," said Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates, Executive Director, Cory Sutela. He says there are many differing e-bike opinions among bicycle riders. "So that we can have a good community conversation about it."
Medicine Wheel just launched an on-line survey about e-bikes, through its website medwheel.org. The link takes you to an explainer page that contains a link to the survey (direct link).
Leaders of Colorado Springs Parks Department are hearing from multiple sides on the e-bike issue. “It’s time. We really need to get our arms around the issue and have a discussion with the folks in the community to see exactly how we're going to go and how we're going to manage this growing interest," said Kurt Schroeder with Colorado Springs Parks. Plans are in the works for a summit of sorts between parks leaders, trail advocates and bike riders to look for common ground on the future of e-bikes.
