DENVER (KDVR) — A teenager was injured Wednesday morning in Boulder County after he was unable to stop the dirt bike he was riding in time and crashed into a pickup truck.
The teen was transported to a hospital with minor injuries and is expected to recover, but the incident prompted a strong warning from the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office: More and more, the agency is responding to crashes and illegal riding reports in the community involving juveniles on e-bikes, electric dirt bikes and gas dirt bikes.
The topic has been present in many online spaces as well, with Colorado parents expressing concern about youths on low-powered vehicles riding through parks, on sidewalks when licensed for roadways, and other bikes not suitable for roadways being ridden with everyday traffic.
“Fast and powerful bikes can be exciting, but they also carry serious risks,” Sergeant Dave Salaman said in the Boulder County Sheriff’s Office release. “We encourage parents to talk with their children, understand the laws, and make sure young riders are ready before letting them hit the road.”
Where, when and what bikes can be ridden in Colorado
So, what are the rules surrounding these motorized marvels? Can a low-powered scooter be used on city sidewalks, and is an e-bike allowed on open space paths? Are motorcycles treated the same as a dirt bike, or are they considered separate?
“Many parents and young riders are unsure what is legal to ride, and where,” the agency said on X.
There’s a lot to know — and a lot of low-power options on the market.
First of all, the basics: Safety.
- Always wear a helmet while riding an e-bike. The Boulder County Sheriff’s Office said that e-bikes have a higher risk of brain injury in the event of a crash.
- Be careful with passengers. It’s advised that cyclists only carry passengers if the bike has a designated seat for them.
- Follow traffic laws: stop at signs, ride with traffic and obey speed limits.
- Stay visible on roadways by wearing bright clothing and using lights while riding is also important.
Depending on the bike you own, you’ll have different options for where it is legal to ride. The sheriff’s office also noted that some bikes can be modified to exceed speed limits, which it said makes them harder to control by riders and potentially illegal.
Bike laws are separated by class:
- Class 1: Pedal assist, maximum speed of 20 mph
- Allowed on multi-use paths and open space trails
- Class 2: Pedal assist and throttle, max speed of 20 mph
- Allowed on multi-use paths
- Not recommended for children under 16 years old
- Class 3: Pedal assist, maximum speed of 28 mph
- Restricted to roads and bike lanes
- Operators must be 16 years or older, helmets are required for operators under 18
- The speedometer must be installed
- Electric motorcycles and dirt bikes: Motorized vehicles
- Require a motorcycle endorsement on a driver’s license, registration, license plates and insurance when used on public roads
- Not allowed on sidewalks or multi-use trails
E-motorcycles and e-dirt bikes can reach speeds of 40 mph or more. The state’s e-bike laws can be found here, which also touch on e-scooters.
According to Colorado state law, an e-scooter was once defined as a “toy vehicle.” In 2019, the legislature carved out exceptions to allow e-scooters in areas where toy vehicles are not allowed. In Colorado, toy vehicles are defined as “any vehicle that has wheels and is not designed for use on public highways or for off-road use,” which includes “gas-powered or electric-powered vehicles commonly called mini bikes, ‘pocket’ bikes, kamikaze boards, go-peds and stand-up scooters.”
E-scooters in Colorado have a maximum speed of 20 mph and are powered solely by an electric motor. Local laws for e-scooters “must be no more restrictive than those pertaining to class 1 electric bicycles,” according to state law.
Anthony Sutton is a business strategist and writer with a passion for management, leadership, and entrepreneurship. With years of experience in the corporate world, he shares insights on business growth, strategy, and innovation through management-opleiding.org.
