Halfway through Durango’s electric bike trial at Twin Buttes, the majority of community feedback is positive, particularly from e-bike riders who have gained access to new recreational opportunities.

E-bikes have been a source of contention in the past as Durango began to allow them on hard-surface trails, such as the Animas River Trail. By starting the yearlong trial at Twin Buttes in June, Durango is experimenting with allowing e-bike users onto the natural-surface trail system.

“We knew this before we went into the trial: There’s people in favor of e-bikes on natural surface trails in Twin Buttes ... and there’s people that are very opposed,” said Cathy Metz, Durango parks and recreation director. “From the comments, it’s the same.”

On June 29, Durango started allowing pedal-assist electric bikes at Twin Buttes, located off U.S. Highway 160 west of Durango. The bikes, called Class 1 bikes, come with an electric motor that provide assistance only when the rider is pedaling and only up to a speed of 20 mph.

Other e-bikes are not allowed at Twin Buttes. The bikes can go up to 20 mph regardless of pedaling, called Class 2 bikes, or up to 28 mph with pedal assist, Class 3 bikes. No electric-assist motorized skateboards, scooters or one-wheels are allowed on city trails.

Class 1 e-bike users joined hikers and mountain bikers on trails during the Twin Buttes trial – an idea that has stirred plenty of support and some concern.

The city received 50 responses from the community between July 10 and Dec. 1. Ten people opposed having the pedal-assist e-bikes on the trails.

The other 40 comments supported the idea, saying it was more inclusive to allow e-bikes on trails.

Some supporters were longtime mountain bike enthusiasts who can’t access the same trails as they grow older, because of health conditions or after injuries.

Others said the bikes allowed them to go on longer rides with their children. Less-experienced riders were able to join their mountain biking friends.

“E-bikes have unlocked a whole new world for us,” said David and Shelly Burke of Durango in a submitted public comment.

Opponents said the city doesn’t do enough enforcement to ensure people are following the rules.

E-bike riders might be less experienced while riding at 20 mph, which can pose safety hazards, they said.

They also argued e-bikes might damage the trail surface and can diminish the recreational experience for other people – particularly when e-bikes pass mountain bikes going uphill or riders don’t use proper trail etiquette.

“I can already see the uphill e-bike and downhill mountain bike conflicts, if both are traveling at 20 mph there will be no way to avoid increased collisions,” said Steve Pavlick of Durango. “The only exception I think is reasonable is for older people ... or people with physical disabilities.”

“I believe e-bikers and mountain bikers can share the same trail system as long as everyone has the same common knowledge about the rule of the game,” said Danielle Evinrude of Durango.

The city plans to do an in-person survey of trail users on the trail system in the spring to gather more public input. Staff members originally planned for the survey to take place over the summer, but it was delayed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Metz said.

“We knew that there were safety concerns going into the trial,” Metz said.

During the trial, the city has recommended an unidirectional flow of travel for bikes as a safety measure. Pedestrians can use the trails in either direction.

Before the trial, the city pruned brush to open sight lines for trail users, Metz said.

The upper trail system closed Dec. 1 because Twin Buttes is a seasonal wildlife closure area. Upper trails will reopen in April, but the lower trail system remains open, Metz said.

The city will continue to gather public comments throughout the trial, which ends in June.

After the trial, city staff members will meet with advisory boards to discuss next steps and decide what recommendation they will advance to the City Council about next steps.

“We’re still receiving public engagement and very much appreciate people’s ideas and thoughts,” Metz said.

smullane@durangoherald.com