Electric micromobility — like e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards — are an important part of Boulder’s transportation network, helping connect people to places and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The City of Boulder's Transportation Master Plan sets out a roadmap for a future that is shared and electric to meet our transportation and climate goals.
Electric micromobility can help us get there. These smaller-scale travel choices connect the gaps in our transportation network and reduce single-occupant car trips.
| Feature | Class 1, 2 or 3 Electric Bicycle | E-Moto |
|---|---|---|
| Operable Pedals | Required | Not required (often unoperable) |
| Motor Power | ≤ 750W | > 750W (some models up to 6,000W) |
| Top Speed | ≤ 20-28 mph | 30-65+ mph |
| Throttle | Class 2 only (≤ 20 mph) | Usually throttle only |
| Licensing/Registration | No | Required |
| Product Category | Consumer Product | Motor Vehicle (requires license, registration, insurance) |
| Street Legal for Minors | All ages can operate a Class 1 and 2 e-bike. Ages 16+ can operate a Class 3 e-bike. | No, unless registered, licensed, and insured |
| VEHICLE TYPE/CLASS | SIDEWALKS (EXCEPT DISMOUNT ZONES) | MULTI-USE PATHS | STREETS & BIKE LANES |
|---|---|---|---|
(max speed of 20 mph) | ✔️* | ✔️ | ✔️ |
|
(max speed of 28 mph) | ❌ | ❌ | ✔️ |
Low-Power Scooter | ❌ | ❌ | Streets ✔️ Bike Lanes ❌ |
| ❌ | ❌ | ❌ |
Lightweight Electric Vehicle | ❌* | ✔️ | ✔️ |
*You may ride e-scooters, e-skateboards and other lightweight electric vehicles on sidewalks adjacent to non-residential streets only if no bike lanes are present. You can not ride on the sidewalk adjacent to streets with a speed limit of 20 mph or less.
Micromobility, such as bikes, scooters and skateboards, is a wheeled type of transportation that is:
Low speed
Operated by a single person
Meant for travel over a short distance
Privately owned or available as shared, rental vehicles
E-micromobility, or electric micromobility, is a type of micromobility that is also:
Powered by electricity
Does not have an internal combustion engine
Does not travel over 20 mph
Examples include e-bikes, e-scooters and e-skateboards.
Manufacturers will often describe devices as Class 1-3 e-bikes due to their ability to toggle between power settings.
Because these devices can speed more than 20+ miles per hour, their use is more restricted than Class 1 and 2 e-bikes.
Read the regulations below to know if your device is defined in the Boulder Revised Code as a Class 3 e-bike, Low-Power Scooter or other device.
City of Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks (OSMP) recently completed a community engagement process that will allow visitors to ride Class 1 and Class 2 electric bikes on certain open space trails. View a map that shows visitors where they can ride Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on specific Boulder OSMP trails.
Read our guide to learn more about the types of e-bikes allowed on Open Space and Mountain Parks trails and where you can ride them.
Use the guide below to know what you ride and where you ride, including for e-bikes, low-power scooters, toy vehicles, e-scooters and e-skateboards.
Riders are responsible for knowing where their device is allowed.
All riders must:
E-bikes are sorted into three classes with different sets of rules. View legal definitions at the bottom of the page.
E-bikes do not require licensing or registration.
What: These bikes can reach a speed of no greater than 20 mph.
The main different between Class 1 and 2 e-bikes is that Class 2 e-bikes are also equipped with a throttle. Class 2 e-bike riders don’t have to pedal to get assistance.
Where: They follow the same rules as traditional bicycles and are allowed on:
sidewalks,
multi-use paths
streets
bike lanes
What: These bikes are
pedal assist only
do not have a throttle.
can reach a speed of no greater than 28 mph
Where: Streets and in bike lanes.
They may not be operated on sidewalks and multi-use paths.
Who: Can only be operated by those who are aged 16 or older. Riders ages 16 and 17 must wear a helmet.
See legal definitions below.
Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes are allowed on roads and bike lanes. The same rules apply whether you’re on an e-bike or a conventional bike.
Class 3 e-bikes cannot be operated on multi-use paths.
Class 1 and 2 e-bikes follow the same multi-use path rules as regular bikes:
Class 3 e-bikes cannot be operated on trails.
Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on certain OSMP trails.
Two wheels and electric power don’t equal a Class 1-3 e-bike.
What: Low-power scooters, as defined in the Boulder Revised Code:
Where: Streets only.
They may not be operated on bike lanes, sidewalks or multi-use paths.
Who: Riders must:
Helmets are required for persons under the age of eighteen who operate or are a passenger on a low-power scooter.
What: Electric-powered devices that do not have proper equipment to operate in the public right-of-way, for example, front and rear lights.
They are not considered e-bikes because they do provide a chain driver or pedals to operate the device.
Where: Toy vehicles are not allowed to operate in the public right-of-way, including:
What: These devices, such as electric scooters and electric skateboards, are:
Where:
May be operated on sidewalks if there are no bike lanes and the speed limit is above 25 mph.
For full details, view the City of Boulder Municipal Code.
Electric assisted bicycle means a vehicle having:
The State of Colorado recognizes three classes of electric-assisted bicycles:
The City of Boulder permits class 1 and class 2 e-bikes on sidewalks (except in dismount zones), multi-use paths, bike lanes and streets. Class 3 e-bikes are permitted only on streets and in bike lanes.
Low-power scooter means a self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for use on the roadways with
Low-power scooter does not include a toy vehicle, bicycle, electric assisted bicycle, electric scooter, or any device designed to assist people with mobility impairments who use pedestrian rights-of-way.
Lightweight electric vehicle means any device capable of moving itself, or of being moved, from place to place upon wheels that is
Lightweight electric vehicle shall not include a toy vehicle.
Low-speed electric vehicle means a vehicle that is self-propelled utilizing electricity as its primary propulsion method:
Such vehicles are motor vehicles and are authorized to operate upon the streets of the city subject to the provisions of the Boulder traffic code.
Toy vehicle means any vehicle that has wheels and is not designed for use on streets or for off-road use.
Includes, but is not limited to, gas-powered or electric-powered vehicles commonly known as mini-bikes, "pocket" bikes, and kamikaze boards.
Toy vehicle does not include lightweight electric vehicles, off-highway vehicles, or snowmobiles.
An Off-Highway Vehicle (OHV), C.R.S. 42-6-102 (11.5), is defined as:
A self-propelled vehicle that is:
While Boulder Revised Code does not categorize e-motos, e-motos may be classified as low-power scooters, toy vehicles, or off-highway vehicles (OHV) depending on size of motor, watt output, and other specifications.
