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.

Overview

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.

Micromobility can help us get there. These smaller-scale travel choices — like scooters, skateboards and bikes — connect the gaps in our transportation network and reduce single-occupant car trips.

Not all e-micromobility is the same. What you ride changes where you ride.

FAQ

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.

Rules and Safety

A chart of different e-micromobility devices and where they can be used in the City of Boulder

View image. View detailed version of chart.

*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.

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:

An illustrated person standing next to a bike and holding a skateboard
  • Always yield to pedestrians and slower-moving traffic
  • Use an audible signal before passing on the left
  • Equip their device with lights if riding at night
  • Except for accessibility purposes, must dismount in Dismount Zones
  • Must follow speed limits
    • Multi-use path: 15 mph
    • Crosswalks: 8 mph
    • Residential streets: 20 mph
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E-bikes 

E-bike example
Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes look similar but
​​​​​differ in speed and more

​​​​​

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.

E-bikes at-a-glance

A chart of e-bike classes at a glance

Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes

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

Class 3 e-bikes

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.

  • You must ride close to the right side of the road or bike lane (when it is safe to do so), except when making a left turn or passing a slower vehicle
  • Ride side-by-side with no more than one other cyclist
  • Signal your intention to turn or stop (only if it is safe for you to take a hand off the bars)
  • E-bike riders must obey speed limits and other road signs in the same way that conventional bike riders do
  • Colorado’s Safety Stop applies to e-bikes — bike and e-bike riders can treat stop signs like yield signs and red lights like stop signs if it is safe to do so and as long as they do not take the right of way from another road user

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:

  • The speed limit on multi-use paths is 15 mph.
  • Always yield to pedestrians and slower-moving traffic
  • Pass slower-moving travelers on the left
    • Before you pass, always use an audible signal to alert people, such as with a bike bell or by loudly saying, “passing on your left”
    • Always pass at a slow speed to ensure courtesy, etiquette and safety

Class 3 e-bikes cannot be operated on trails.

Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are allowed on certain OSMP trails.

Low-power Scooters

A low-power scooter
An example of a low-power scooter

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:

  • can operate at greater than 750 watts
  • can exceed 20+ mph

Where: Streets only.
They may not be operated on bike lanes, sidewalks or multi-use paths.

Who: Riders must:

  • be 16 years of age
  • possess a driver’s license
  • be insured

Helmets are required for persons under the age of eighteen who operate or are a passenger on a low-power scooter.

Toy Vehicles

An example of a toy bike
An example of a toy bike

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:

  • sidewalks
  • multi-use paths
  • streets
  • bike lanes

Lightweight electric vehicles

What: These devices, such as electric scooters and electric skateboards, are:

  • Powered by an electric motor
  • Weigh less than 50 pounds

Where:

  • Multi-use paths
  • Residential streets
  • Bike lanes on non-residential streets.

May be operated on sidewalks if there are no bike lanes and the speed limit is above 25 mph.

Legal Definitions

For full details, view the City of Boulder Municipal Code.

Electric assisted bicycle

Electric assisted bicycle means a vehicle having:

  • two tandem wheels or two parallel wheels and one forward wheel;
  • fully operable pedals;
  • and an electric motor not exceeding 750 watts of power rating.

The State of Colorado recognizes three classes of electric-assisted bicycles:

  • Class 1 E-bike: Equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.

  • Class 2 E-bike: Equipped with a motor that provides assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedaling but ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.

  • Class 3 E-bike: Equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of 28 miles per hour.​

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

Low-power scooter means a self-propelled vehicle designed primarily for use on the roadways with

  • not more than three wheels in contact with the ground;
  • no manual clutch;
  • and either of the following:
    • (1) A cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters if powered by internal combustion; or
    • (2) A wattage not exceeding four thousand four hundred seventy-six if powered by electricity.

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

Lightweight electric vehicle means any device capable of moving itself, or of being moved, from place to place upon wheels that is

  • powered by a battery; and
  • weighing less than fifty pounds, including by way of example but not limitation an
    • electric scooter;
    • electric skateboard;
    • electric unicycle; and
    • self-balancing single-wheel electric personal transport board.

Lightweight electric vehicle shall not include a toy vehicle.

Low-speed electric vehicle

Low-speed electric vehicle means a vehicle that is self-propelled utilizing electricity as its primary propulsion method:

  • Has at least three wheels in contact with the ground

  • Does not use handlebars to steer

  • Exhibits the manufacturer's compliance with 49 C.F.R. 565 or displays a seventeen-character vehicle identification number as provided in 49 C.F.R. 565

  • Whose maximum speed is not greater than 25 mph

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

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.