Electric Bikes
Enjoying Durango by E-bike
Class I pedal-assist and Class II throttle-assist E-bikes are currently allowed on City of Durango hard surface trails, connecting you to Durango parks, neighborhoods and business areas. These trails include the Animas River Trail, Florida Road Trail, SMART 160 Trail, Three Springs Trail and Goeglein Gulch Road Trail. E-bikes may be ridden on City streets and bike lanes at any time.
Class I pedal-assist mountain bikes are now allowed on the natural surface trails at Twin Buttes. eMTBs are not permitted on any other City of Durango natural surface trails. Click here to download the City of Durango Electric Bikes brochure. (PDF)
Hard Surface Trail Etiquette for E-Bikes
Be predictable. Travel in a consistent and predictable manner. Keep right and pass on left. Look behind before changing positions on the trail.
Be respectful. Slow down and use caution when approaching other trail users and blind turns. Please keep speed under 10 mph on City hard surface trails. When passing, use bell and let the person know you are passing in a friendly voice.
Electric-assist bicycles ONLY. Class I pedal-assist and Class II throttle-assist e-bikes are allowed on City of Durango hard surface trails. No electric-assist motorized skateboards, scooters, onewheels, etc. allowed on City trails.
E-Bikes yield to all other trail users. Yielding the right-of-way requires slowing down to a safe speed, being prepared to stop, establishing communication and passing safely.
View the current City Ordinance O-2018-25 here.
eMTB Riding Etiquette
Ride open trails only. eMTB use is only allowed on the Twin Buttes natural surface trails in Durango City limits. For information on area trails where eMTBs are allowed, please see the list for other public lands below. Respect motorized/non-motorized trail use regulations. Never ride your eMTB on a trail that doesn’t allow electric-assist bikes. No electric-assist motorized skateboards, scooters, onewheels, etc. allowed on City of Durango natural surface trails.
Yield appropriately. All bikes yield to pedestrians. Pedestrians and bikes yield to equestrians. All downhill traffic yields to all uphill traffic. Anticipate other trail users when coming around corners. To pass in any direction, announce yourself and pass by remaining on the trail. Do not go off trail.
Stay on the trail. Whether you are on an eMTB or a regular mountain bike, always stay on the designated trail. Don’t cut corners, ride through vegetation, or create new trails.
Directional travel suggested. It is recommended bikes travel in the same direction on the upper part of the trail system as indicated on the map. Pedestrians may travel in either direction and should expect two-way traffic. All users should be in control at all times and practice Share the Trails ethics.
Keep your speed in check. When riding near other trail users, slow down. If you must pass, be polite. Ask the other trail users if you can pass and allow them to respond before maneuvering around. Control your speed and be prepared to stop.
Plan ahead. Know your equipment, your ability and the area in which you are riding and be prepared.
History of trial at Twin Buttes for Class I pedal-assist Electric Mountain Bikes (eMTBs)
The electric mountain bike (eMTB) trial period and trail survey ended November 30, 2021.
- The joint advisory board meeting presentation of February 3, 2022 may be viewed here. (PDF)
- Analysis of 2020-2019 Twin Buttes Electric Motorized Bicycle (eMTB) Trial Period may be viewed here. (PDF)
- eMTB Trial Public Comment - updated as of 12-10-2021 (PDF)
Where are eMTBs currently allowed on other public lands?
For information regarding use of E-Bikes on natural surface trails located on lands owned by other land management agencies in the Durango and Southwest Colorado region, please visit these links: