The Town of Eagle has implemented new regulations for electric bicycles (e-bikes) to ensure safety for riders, pedestrians and motorists.
The newly implemented regulations are as follows:
- Speed Limits: 15 miles per hour in all areas of town when operated on a designated bike path, sidewalk or non-motorized trail.
- Any e-bike operated on the roadway must abide by traffic regulations including speed limits, coming to a complete stop at all intersections and stopping at crosswalks when pedestrians are present.
- Helmets must be worn for all e-bike riders under the age of 18.
- Mobile devices are not allowed while riding an e-bike unless it is a hands-free device.
- E-bike riders are not allowed to have more passengers than the e-bike is designed and built for, except for aftermarket products approved for e-bike use such as child carriers.
- All e-bikes shall include a permanently affixed headlight and taillight when used between dawn and dusk. Headlights and taillights shall be visible at least 200 feet and must be activated 30 minutes before sunset and sunrise. Handheld lights and rider-worn lights are not acceptable substitutes.
- E-bike riders shall yield to the right-of-way to pedestrians, equestrians, bicycles, wildlife and uphill traffic.
- E-bike riders are to ride on the right-hand side of all sidewalks, bike paths and non-motorized paths, except where the sidewalk path is less than 36 inches wide.
E-bike locations for operation:
- E-bikes may be used on designated bike paths, sidewalks and non-motorized trails or roadways where signage permits usage.
- E-bikes are not allowed on soft-surface (dirt, gravel, grass) trails in Eagle other than the Second Gulch Trail. Second Gulch Trail continues to be the only soft-surface trail e-bikes are allowed on.
- E-bikes are prohibited at the BMX bike park.
E-bike sidewalk dismount zones:
- Downtown Broadway Street between Grand Avenue and 5th Street, half a block in each direction from Broadway Street and on cross streets and sidewalks only.
- In Eagle Ranch on Capital Street between 1000 Capitol Street and Sylvan Lake Road, and 200 feet in each direction along Founders Avenue from the intersection of Founders Avenue to Capitol Street on sidewalks only.
- These areas do not include street surfaces.
E-bike usage has increased in Eagle in the past few years. To address safety concerns from the community, the town hosted an open house and sent out a community survey in 2023 regarding it. Results from the survey and open house prompted the town to create an ordinance to increase public safety.
As part of the rollout of the ordinance, an education campaign is underway and will include educational fliers distributed at events and activities within the community, plus presentations for students at area schools. The town also will install both signage and pavement markings along applicable bike paths, sidewalks, trails and dismount zones.
For more information, contact the Eagle Police Department at 970-328-6351 or epd@eaglepolice.org.