A policy expanding electric bike access on Colorado Springs trails fell short of its first vote of endorsement Wednesday, with a board committed to city open spaces opting instead to amend the proposed ordinance that aimed to classify the motor-assisted bikes as “non-motorized use.”
Another parks board is set to review the proposal ahead of City Council in the next steps of an increasingly complicated issue over the increasingly popular e-bikes.
“It’s a complicated spider web,” said Jeff Davis, among members of the Trails, Open Space and Parks (TOPS) working committee who grimaced, sighed and scratched their heads during a three-hour discussion.
Davis was among TOPS advocates who recognized e-bikes already out on trails, increasing in numbers over the years despite city rules against them. Davis was among those who praised parks department leadership for finally seeking a policy after several years of debate while other Front Range land managers have set rules of their own.
And Davis was among people at Wednesday’s meeting questioning the way to set that policy.