Electric bikes provide a different means of transportation and recreation

Electric bikes, or e-bikes as they are commonly known, have begun to make significant in-roads in the cycling industry.

Eric Bergeson, owner of Niwot Wheel Works, said that in his three years running the local bike shop, he has seen e-bikes grow in popularity. E-bikes, which come equipped with a battery-powered electric motor, come in a variety of makes and models, ranging from road and mountain bikes to hybrid bikes. Per the Boulder-based national cycling advocacy group, PeopleForBikes, there are currently three classes of e-bikes.

Class 1 e-bikes are equipped with a motor that only provides assistance when the rider is pedaling, and the motor ceases to provide assistance when the e-bike reaches 20 mph. This is known as pedal-assist.

Class 2 e-bikes are equipped with a throttle-actuated motor meaning that the rider has the option to stop pedaling and propel the bike using a thumb or twist throttle. The motor also ceases to assist the rider when the e-bike reaches 20 mph.

Class 3 e-bikes are similar to class 1 in that their pedal-assist electric motor is only engaged when the rider is pedaling. The main difference is the motor ceases to provide assistance when the e-bike reaches 28 mph.

Class 1 and class 2 e-bikes are the most common, and Bergeson said they comprise most of Niwot Wheel Work's e-bike sales, although the shop can also special order class 3 e-bikes for customers. Bergeson believes his customers find these types of e-bikes are a good fit for the Niwot area, specifically for residents looking to commute or ride the local roads and trails.

From Bergeson's perspective, anything that helps people get out and ride more is a good thing. "I see benefits for virtually everybody," he said, specifically pointing out that the majority of the shop's e-bike sales are hybrid-style bikes most commonly used by commuters. "People want to get from point A to point B in a pleasant and fuel-efficient way," he said.

But the possible benefits of e-bikes don't end with commuters. Bergeson pointed out that e-bikes are also an equalizer, allowing partners or friends of different riding abilities or fitness levels to enjoy going out for a ride together.

Additionally, e-bikes often appeal to older riders. "They still have the joy of riding but have had to slow down," said Bergeson. "This is one of the most fun sales for me. People say it makes them feel like a kid again."

However, e-bikes have not been universally well-received, and issues around e-bike use, access, and regulation continue to be contentious across the state and, more broadly, around the nation.

Bergeson pointed out that riders unsure of where their e-bike is allowed should check with land management agencies at the state or local level. "All the laws for e-bikes are governed by the state similar to driving laws," he said. And be aware that the laws are changing and updating regularly.

At a local level, a 2019 pilot study conducted by Boulder County aimed to study the impact of e-bikes on public trails as well as explore expanded access for e-bikes on traditional multi-use paths. E-bikes were originally classified as motorized vehicles until a 2017 Colorado bill re-classified them as non-motorized vehicles. This reclassification allowed e-bikes on public bike paths unless local land management agencies specifically prohibited them.

Some of the main concerns addressed by the Boulder County study centered on increased recreation access, increased trail maintenance needs, safety, speed, crowding, user conflict, and wildlife habitat. The study found that many trail users did not know the difference between e-bikes and traditional bikes, and that the average speed of e-bikers was actually less than the speed of traditional bike riders. The study concluded with a recommendation to allow class 1 and class 2 e-bikes on Boulder County trails on the plains where regular bikes are allowed, including regional trails and trails on open space parks.

Currently, the LoBo Trail and the trails accessed from the Niwot Loop Trailhead and Lefthand Valley Grange Trailhead allow class 1 and 2 e-bikes, as do all of the regional trails in Longmont, such as the St. Vrain Greenway trail system. However, several Gunbarrel area trails and many other Boulder County-maintained trails do not allow e-bikes, including the LOBO Trail where it crosses Highway 52 going south toward Boulder, most of the trail east of Heatherwood, and the trail that crosses the Highway 119 underpass west of Gunbarrel Estates.

Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes can be ridden on all roads and designated bike lanes where bikes are allowed.

As the cycling industry adapts to this growing market segment, it remains to be seen if local legislation and infrastructure will also adapt. This new cycling technology may allow more bikes on the roads, paths, and trails than ever.

And perhaps the key to e-bikers sharing the roads and trails with vehicles and other users is not more restrictive legislation but more education on road and trail etiquette. Bergeson pointed out that, as with all use-groups, e-bikers need to know and follow the rules of the road or local trail system.

This increased demand for e-bikes and for bicycles more generally allowed Niwot Wheel Works to expand to a larger space, taking over the retail space previously occupied by Powder Keg Brewing. Bergeson said the move was partially driven by wanting to keep a broader array of inventory in stock, in part due to increased e-bike sales in the past few years.

Bergeson thinks that e-bikes will only continue to grow in popularity. He, for one, loves that e-bikes can provide a freeing feeling that most people haven't experienced since they were a kid.

As the saying goes, it's just like riding a bike.

For more information about where to take your electric bike in Boulder County, including a trail map, visit the county's E-bike information page