A passionate crowd was split on whether to allow electric bikes on Animas River Trail during a meeting Thursday at the Durango Recreation Center.
Those supporting e-bikes, which have small motors, lauded the city’s plan to allow e-bikes for a one-year trial period on the river, Florida Road and Goeglein Gulch Road trails and a few connector trails. After one year, the city would revisit the e-bike regulations based on public input, Parks and Rec Director Cathy Metz said.
Opponents felt allowing e-bikes on the River Trail would exacerbate problems that already exist.
Several speakers told stories about being hit or run off the trail by irresponsible cyclists.
“I feel threatened by bicyclists,” resident Debbie Smith said.
Supporters felt a trial period was appropriate and that e-bike riders using the trail in general have been respectful.
“The people who have the e-bikes, who currently own them, have been really considerate,” resident Sandy Buelenberg said.
In light of a recently passed state law that defines bicycles with less than 750 watts of power as bicycles, three city advisory boards decided to delay making a recommendation to the Durango City Council on the draft plan until city staff can talk with the city attorney about the new law.
The board also wanted to give the public more time to comment on the draft plan.
The Multimodal, Natural Lands Preservation and Parks and Recreation advisory boards did advance a request for the City Council to consider implementing permanent speed limits on the River Trail.
From Memorial Park to Cundiff Park, the speed limit would be 10 mph, and from Cundiff Park to Dallabetta Park, the speed limit would be 15 mph, Metz said.
The advisory boards also asked city staff to start encouraging better etiquette on the trail through new yield signs, striping, educational brochures and outreach to clubs.
“I think we have a very concerned public,” Natural Lands Board member Susan Ulery said.
Residents described concerns about dogs off-leash, public intoxication, criminal activity and a lack of police presence. Some were concerned adding e-bikes to the mix would be a mistake and that those riders should stay on city roads.
“We need to be careful because we are asking for trouble,” Eliane Viner said.
A greater police presence on the trail is planned regardless of the e-bike decision, Metz said.
The advisory boards will likely take up the e-bike discussion in May after Metz clarifies how the state law may change how the city can regulate e-bikes by class.
The new law allows municipalities to regulate e-bikes on trails, but the law may blur between class one and class two e-bikes, she said.
The city’s draft plan allowed only pedal-assist class one e-bikes on the River Trail. A rider must pedal to engage the motors on a class one e-bike. Class two e-bikes have a throttle.
The state classified all e-bikes with motors that produce less than 750 watts of power as bicycles. Once the boards revise the draft regulations, the council will take up the issue. Comments on the plan can be submitted to rec@duranogov.org through April 30.
