The popularity and use of electric bikes, or “e-bikes,” has increased exponentially across the country, including Colorado. These bikes allow riders of all abilities to enjoy biking longer distances across more difficult terrain. However, the increased use of e-bikes on mountain trails has angered some traditional trail users, and public officials are struggling to rewrite the rules of the road.
Many see the rise of e-bikes as an intrusion into what were once tranquil and remote mountain trails. Mountain bikers are among the most hardcore adventure athletes. The downhill portion is the fun part; however, the long and excruciating climbs up the mountain are what make the sport so difficult and competitive. Now, with e-bikes sharing mountain trails, traditional mountain bikers are annoyed and outraged by e-bike users who they believe “disgrace the sport” of mountain biking as they effortlessly ascend trails.
There are also significant safety concerns among hikers, horseback riders, and walkers, about the high speeds of e-bikes that fly past them on these trails. Many e-bike designs feature pedal assist, allowing riders to reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Additionally, some e-bikes are capable of keeping up with surrounding motor vehicle traffic on main roads, with certain models reaching speeds of up to 60 miles per hour.
Public officials are monitoring the use of e-bikes closely, with safety as their top priority. However, due to the large number of e-bike users and the many miles of mountain trails in remote locations, officials are struggling to enforce regulations consistently and monitor the use of e-bikes on mountain trails. With some trails stretching across multiple jurisdictions—each with different laws and regulations for e-bikes—consistency and enforceability are ongoing challenges.
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The information for this post was sourced from The Denver Post at https://www.denverpost.com/2026/04/28/e-bikes-mountain-trails/
