Bumper to Bumper: E-bikes and RTD fares

The City of Boulder continues the process of evaluating allowing e-bikes on city open space trails. On February 8 the Boulder Open Space Board of Trustees (OSBT) rejected the city staff recommendation to allow e-bikes on trails that are in the plains (east of Broadway and US 36).

The staff recommendation would have been consistent with Boulder County’s regulations permitting Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on county open space trails. The OSBT sent their recommendation to the Boulder City Council for a final decision.

The Boulder City Council will consider the issue at its meeting on June 1 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers. Boulder city staff continue to recommend the same option presented to the OSBT. The meeting will be hybrid, both in person and online. The online meeting link has not been announced but should be available on the city website a week before the meeting.

The Regional Transportation District (RTD) reported the results of the open houses held in January and February to gather public input on their Northwest Rail Peak Service Study. This project would provide commuter rail service between Denver and Longmont with three weekday trips in the morning and three in the evening. Approximately 120 people attended the open house in Gunbarrel in January, while 75 people attended the February event in Westminster.

Most participants provided neutral or positive comments. A “handful” commented about FasTracks and station locations. RTD is scheduled to have more open house events before summer begins but the dates have not been announced.

RTD is studying reducing the cost of bus and train trips and providing free transit to people aged 19 and younger. RTD hearings on the study have all taken place and the window for public input closed on May 22. RTD’s decision is scheduled to be announced soon.