Currently, there is no age restriction for riders of Class 1 and Class 2 electric bikes. Drivers of Class 3 e-bikes must be at least 16 years old, unless they are driving as passengers. 15. (a) A person under sixteen years of age shall not ride a Class 3 electric bicycle on a road, highway, bicycle or pedestrian path; With the exception of the fact that a person under sixteen years of age is allowed to ride as a passenger on a class 3 electrically assisted bicycle designed to accommodate passengers. (b) A person shall not ride or ride as a passenger on a Class 3 electric bicycle unless (I) any person under the age of eighteen wears a protective helmet of a type and construction designed for use by bicycle guides; (II) The safety helmet conforms to the design and specifications of the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission or the American Society for Testing and Materials; and (III) the safety helmet is properly attached to the person`s head using a chin strap while the Class 3 electric bike is in motion. Class 1 and Class 2 legal electric bikes offer engine assistance at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. Class 3 bikes offer support of up to 28 miles per hour. Denver has an e-bike sharing program and adds bike infrastructure such as protected bike paths that e-bikes can use, but Denver doesn`t have specific rules for e-bikes. Colorado`s e-bike laws allow local governments to allow or prohibit the use of e-bikes on sidewalks and bike paths. Perhaps the most basic laws colorado has introduced regarding e-bikes deal with the definition of an electric bike.
As of January 1, 2018, there are three classes of electric bikes in the state of Colorado, depending on the type of assistance the bike`s motor provides to the cyclist and the maximum speed allowed. The state defines the three classes as follows: Drivers can ride electric bikes on a normal road. However, if the rider is driving at a speed below average traffic, he must occupy the lane or bike path on the far right. The driver can change lanes in low-speed areas or in preparation for a left turn. What they are: Cost-effective electric bikes are Class 1. During these cycles, electrical support occurs when the pedaler is unable to reach 20 miles per hour with its own muscle power. Local towns and villages have the final say and control over where e-bikes can be driven. For example, Breckenridge has an excellent network of cycling and hiking trails. The most popular bike path that connects Breckenridge to Frisco does not allow electric bikes. To give more context, this bike path never allowed the use of motor vehicles, so not allowing e-bikes was a measure taken by the City of Breckenridge for the safety of trail users (or the facility, as urban planners call it). Class 3 electric bikes can provide support of up to 28 mph. Electric bikes are the future and Colorado is leading the way in making them more accessible and regulated so they can be a viable means of transportation in the future.
The Colorado law applicable to most bicycle laws is R.C.S. section 42-4-1412* and for electric bicycles under R.C. section 42-1-102. This law has been extended to the 3 categories or classes of electric bikes. E-Bike Class I is for pedal assist and provides electric support up to 20 mph. The Class II electric bike provides electrical power when the rider pedals or not and stops giving power when the electric bike reaches the speed of 20 mph. E-Bike Class III provides electric power up to 28 mph. In Colorado, categories I and II can be traveled on bicycle, pedestrian or multi-purpose paths. Class III may only be driven on public roads. Also note that Class 3 electric bikes are not allowed for cyclists under the age of 16, and the law also requires the cyclist or passenger on a Class 3 electric bike under the age of 18 to wear a bicycle helmet with a firm harness while the Class 3 electric bike is in motion.
I recommend all cyclists and passengers to wear a helmet (electric bike or not), but the law currently only has the specific rule for Class 3 electric bikes. However, Class III electric bikes can only be used by people who are 16 years of age or older. Since every city, town, and district has the power to promulgate any ordinance that is not inconsistent with state law, be sure to consult your local ordinance. Electric bikes must have an electric motor that does not exceed 750 W of power. Denver had yet to establish new rules on e-bikes after state lawmakers passed the law in 2017, meaning Denver was working until Monday with an outdated definition of what makes an electric bike — a bike with pedals and an electric motor not exceeding 750 watts that doesn`t help the cyclist reach speeds of more than 10 miles per hour. This definition is almost irrelevant. Today, electric bikes are lighter and the motors are much more efficient, which means they can reach higher speeds with lower power. Trails are more challenging, but under state law, electric bikes can ride on the same trails as standard bikes. However, many trails have their own limitations. Some do not allow electric bikes at all and others prohibit certain classes, speeds and even power as in some rock trails. It`s a state law that local communities can`t have more restrictive rules for e-scooters than for e-bikes. Therefore, electric scooters are allowed to share the road with motor vehicles, ride on the bike path, and use the bike paths and sidewalks that allow Class 1 electric bikes.
(b) a person shall not ride a Class 3 electric bicycle on a bicycle or pedestrian path unless (I) the lane is within a road or highway; or (II) the local authority authorizes the use of a Class 3 electric bike in a manner within its jurisdiction. Sometimes it`s just scary to ride on the road in Denver, even with the extra speed of an electric bike. Until every street in Denver has a protected bike path, there will be times when you want to get to the sidewalk. Follow the rules of driving the road on Denver`s roads and bike paths. Good etiquette will also ensure that e-bikes are welcome in Denver – even encouraged. Let`s develop electric bikes as a great alternative to cars for getting around. Yes, you can get a Class 2 electric bike with gasoline and it`s perfectly legal to use it in Colorado. There`s no need to pedal (although they should be there and usable) and you can ride up to 20 mph – although you`re still usable In general, the same rules apply to you, whether you`re on an electric bike or a conventional bike.
You will need to embrace the right side of the road or bike path (if it is safe) unless you turn left, pass a slower vehicle or cyclist, do not ride more than two side by side with another cyclist, and signal your intention to turn or stop (only if it is safe for you to remove one hand from the poles). Electric cyclists must respect speed limits and other road signs in the same way as traditional cyclists. Colorado Safety Stop Applies to Electric Bikes – E-bike riders can treat stop signs as compliance signs and red lights as stop signs if safe and as long as they don`t take another road user`s right of way. Electric bikes can now be found everywhere: mountain bike trails, bike paths, city bike paths, campsites, county roads and parked in front of grocery stores. Although there was initial opposition to e-bikes in the cycling community, many have changed their minds. Finally, electric bikes make getting around faster and easier, allow older cyclists and people with injuries/physical disabilities to keep riding, and are a great way for people who would otherwise be in the car to try life on two wheels.