e-Bike Safety Advocates

Colorado’s e-Bike Safety Awareness Initiative

The Colorado e-Bike Safety Awareness Initiative is a proposed program for our state designed to enhance safety for all e-device users of streets and multi-use paths. By focusing on e-Bike education/registration for underage e-bike riders and creating a uniform on-path signage system throughout the front range, we can help lay the foundation for safety preparation for the projected explosive growth in US e-bike sales/usage (from $1.7M in 2024 to $6.5M in 2030*). In just 7 years, e-Bike sales in the US may nearly quadruple! Lots of new riders are coming to Colorado in the coming years.

This initiative aims to address safety concerns regarding reckless behaviors of younger riders by establishing a common standard of knowledge for all motorized device users (e-devices) that do not have a driver’s license. The primary reason why our road system and driving are relatively organized is due to all driver’s being required to pass the same driver’s exam to be gifted permission to use our roads/highways. e-Biking is not a right, as many underage users assume. It’s a privilege that can be taken away for bad behavior.

Why are unlicensed “drivers” allowed to operate e-devices at 20+ MPH without regard for safety on our bike paths and roads without a permit of some type to ensure safety standards?

This is a rudimentary attempt to create accountability for crashes and incidents that happening and that we know are coming with increased traffic.

* eCycle Electric

The two main components to our initiative are:

e-Bike Registration/Safety Awareness Certification

e-Bike Safety Awareness Signage (on-path)

Image credit to www.sitelinesb.com

e-Bike Registration/Safety Awareness Certification

This program is a voluntary initiative for riders aged 15 and younger without a driver’s license. All kids seek out boundaries and will push things are far as they are allowed. They are definitely testing that boundary with by using a motorized bike to go 20+ MPH without a helmet. Communities should set boundaries for the younger generation e-Bike usage to ensure that they know the “rules of the road” that apply to bike paths as well.

It helps participants understand and follow standard safety practices and rules of the road that apply to all multi-use path users.

The Registration and Safety Awareness Certification process includes:

In-person registration of the e-bike, rider, and parent/guardian contact information.
Confirmation of which type of e-Bikes they have; advise which e-Bikes are allowed and not allowed public multi-use paths.
A photo of young riders with their e-bike.
Registration with local police and the application of a sticker for identification in case the e-bike is stolen.
Installation of a bell on the e-bike (optional).
Confirmation of which paths/trails are closed to any e-moto traffic
Completion of a 12-question online test to ensure understanding of rules and etiquette.
Receipt of an e-bike Safety Certificate via email or text upon completion.

The goal is to ensure all stakeholders using motorized devices are familiar with safety information and boundaries for acceptable behavior, enhancing security on bike paths for everyone. This program can help Coloradoans feel more secure on bike paths, especially our seniors.

e-Bike Safety Awareness Signage (on-path)

Implementing uniform, graffiti-proof signage system throughout metropolitan and high-traffic areas in the Front Range is crucial for ensuring coordinated usage of multi-use paths and preparing for the increasing number of participants that are coming. In the future, we envision communities of connected multi-use paths using a similar map structure and sign design for consistency for users; a bikeway version of our existing road signs if you will.

Key aspects of the interactive signage include:

Location: Placed in high-traffic areas, especially where paths are typically 8 ft. wide and were not designed for high-speed motorized traffic.
Clarity: Clear, concise signage with international symbols and specified speed limits for all users (e.g., 15 MPH).
Standardization: Use of a 12” x 18” sign template that can be shared and updated across different communities.
Safety Message: A succinct safety message; for example – A.S.K.:
- Announce when approaching from behind.
- Signal upcoming turns.
- Kindness Matters – Speed limit 15 MPH.
QR Codes: Signs equipped with QR codes linked to a dedicated landing page that features:
- Up-to-date, color-coded bike path maps (showing paved, gravel, street crossings, and areas where e-bikes are prohibited).
- A “Report-an-Incident” form to collect real-time user feedback on incident locations, what happened and contact information (optional).