Things To Do on an eBike in Boulder County, CO
Boulder County has plenty of eBike miles, but they are not all open to you. The plains have paved and soft-surface regional trails, a city path through downtown Boulder, and an 18-mile bikeway toward Denver. The foothills are mostly off limits. This guide lists the routes the managers document, with lengths, surfaces and class rules.
Three agencies set the rules: Boulder County Parks & Open Space, the City of Boulder, and CDOT for the US 36 Bikeway's design. Class 1 and 2 are allowed on most listed routes. Class 3 is allowed on very few. Read the access line on each route, and confirm on the manager page before you head out.
Where to ride in Boulder County
The routes sit along the Front Range plains. Boulder Creek Path runs through downtown Boulder. LoBo links Boulder, Gunbarrel, Niwot and Longmont. Coal Creek and Rock Creek cross Superior, Louisville and Lafayette. The US 36 Bikeway heads southeast toward Denver. City of Boulder open space trails in East and North Boulder are the sixth option. Shops near each are listed on the Boulder County eBike shops page.
Length and surface differ a lot. Boulder Creek Path is the shortest at 5.5 miles. LoBo and Rock Creek are 12 miles each, and Coal Creek is 14. Coal Creek and Rock Creek are mostly soft surface. The US 36 Bikeway is 18 miles of concrete. On rules, Class 1 and 2 are welcome on all six. Class 3 is allowed only on the US 36 Bikeway, and the city bars it on its paths.
eBike shop hubs
Shops sit close to these routes. Pick the city page nearest your ride to compare rentals, repairs and sales, starting with Boulder and Longmont, which have the most listings.
- eBike shops in Boulder
- eBike shops in Longmont
- eBike shops in Niwot
- eBike shops in Louisville
- eBike shops in Lyons
- eBike shops in Nederland
- eBike shops in Superior
- eBike shops in Lafayette
Rental and tour contacts
Rental and tour cards in the directory include Pedego Electric Bikes Boulder and JD's Joyrides eBike Tours & Rentals. Ask each business which classes it rents and which routes it recommends before you book.
Pedego Electric Bikes Boulder🚲 Rentals
JD's Joyrides eBike Tours & Rentals🚲 Rentals
PEDAL Adventures🚲 Rentals
Named eBike routes and access checks
1. Boulder Creek Path, downtown spine
Boulder Creek Path is the easiest first ride for a visitor. It runs east and west along the creek through downtown Boulder. You pass the Main Library, Civic Area Park and the Boulder Dushanbe Teahouse, so it works for errands and coffee as well as exercise. The City of Boulder manages it. Class 1 and 2 eBikes are allowed on city multi-use paths. Class 3 is not, because the city prohibits it on all multi-use paths and open space trails. The speed limit is 15 mph, and 8 mph in crosswalks. Expect walkers, runners and families, especially near the Civic Area. Slow down, pass on the left and give a bell or voice warning. E-motos are not allowed on the path.
Distance: 5.5-mile multi-use path, per the City of Boulder; start: Boulder Canyon at the west end, or Stazio Ballfields just past 55th Street at the east end; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: Class 1 and 2 eBikes are allowed. Class 3 and e-motos are not. The speed limit is 15 mph, and 8 mph in crosswalks. Etiquette and planning: Keep to 15 mph or less, slow to 8 mph at crosswalks, pass on the left with a warning, and expect heavy foot traffic downtown. Managing source: City of Boulder, Boulder Creek Path.
2. LoBo Trail: Boulder to Longmont
The LoBo Trail connects the City of Boulder and the City of Longmont. It is a trail system rather than a single path, and it passes through Gunbarrel, Niwot and open space. That makes it a useful link if you want to ride between towns and stop at shops in Niwot. Boulder County Parks & Open Space manages it. E-bikes are allowed, with one exception: a short signed area near Twin Lakes open space, where HOA restrictions apply. Obey that sign and walk or detour. The county lists LoBo among the regional trails open to Class 1 and 2. Plan the return leg before you set out, since the full trail is long for a casual ride.
Distance: 12-mile trail system, per Boulder County Parks & Open Space; start: Several access points in Boulder, Gunbarrel, Niwot and Longmont; check the county trail map; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: Class 1 and 2 are allowed, but Class 3 is not. E-bikes are not allowed in the short signed area near Twin Lakes open space. Etiquette and planning: Watch for the Twin Lakes sign, yield to walkers and horses, and check the county trail page for closures before a long ride. Managing source: Boulder County Parks & Open Space, LoBo Trail.
3. Coal Creek Trail: Superior to Erie
Coal Creek Trail follows Coal Creek across the southeast part of the county. It starts at South 66th Street in Superior, runs through Louisville and Lafayette, and ends at Vista Parkway in Erie. It is a regional trail, so the county manages it for walkers, runners and bikes together. The surface is soft, which means slower, bumpier riding than pavement. A motor helps with that, but give yourself extra time. Class 1 and 2 eBikes are allowed on Coal Creek under the county's regional trail rules. Louisville and Lafayette sit along the route, so you can plan a stop for food or a shop visit.
Distance: 14-mile soft-surface regional trail, per Boulder County Parks & Open Space; start: South 66th Street in Superior, or Vista Parkway in Erie at the east end; surface: Soft-surface trail, per Boulder County Parks & Open Space.
eBike access: Class 1 and 2 eBikes are allowed on this regional trail. Class 3 is allowed only on the US 36 Bikeway, and E-motos are prohibited. Etiquette and planning: Slow down on soft surfaces, yield to hikers and horses, and keep your speed under control near trail crossings and neighborhoods. Managing source: Boulder County Parks & Open Space, Coal Creek Trail.
4. Rock Creek Trail: Coalton to Lafayette
Rock Creek Trail runs from the Coalton Trailhead in Superior to the point where Rock Creek meets Coal Creek in Lafayette. On the way it passes through Carolyn Holmberg Preserve at Rock Creek Farm, which the county also lists as open to Class 1 and 2. Boulder County Parks & Open Space manages the trail. It is mostly soft surface, so plan for a slower pace. Because it ends at the Coal Creek confluence, you can pair it with Coal Creek Trail for a longer one-way ride through Lafayette and Louisville. Coalton Trailhead is also on the county's list of open plains trailheads for Class 1 and 2.
Distance: 12-mile, primarily soft-surface trail, per Boulder County Parks & Open Space; start: Coalton Trailhead in Superior, Colorado; surface: Primarily soft surface, per Boulder County Parks & Open Space.
eBike access: Class 1 and 2 eBikes are allowed. Class 3 is not allowed on county trails other than the US 36 Bikeway. Etiquette and planning: Yield to hikers and horses, ride slowly through the preserve, and carry water, since the county page lists no services along the route. Managing source: Boulder County Parks & Open Space, Rock Creek Trail.
5. US 36 Bikeway, the Class 3 route
The US 36 Bikeway is the one Boulder County Parks & Open Space trail that allows Class 3 eBikes, so it matters for speed-oriented riders. It runs between Denver and Boulder alongside the highway. CDOT says the first 11 miles opened in June 2015. The lanes are 12 feet wide with 2-foot shoulders, built from 6-inch concrete, and they connect to existing trails. The county lists it as a regional trail open to Class 1 and 2 as well. Class 3 riders must be 16 or older, and anyone under 18 on a Class 3 must wear a helmet. Expect traffic noise and wind.
Distance: 18 miles between Denver and Boulder, per CDOT; start: Several access points; check the manager map; surface: Concrete, 6 inches thick, with 12-foot lanes and 2-foot shoulders, per CDOT.
eBike access: Class 1, 2 and 3 are allowed here. It is the only Boulder County Parks & Open Space trail that allows Class 3, and E-motos are prohibited. Etiquette and planning: Class 3 riders must be 16 or older, with a helmet if under 18. Leave room for others on the shoulders, and slow near trail connections. Managing source: Boulder County Parks & Open Space, eBikes on open space.
6. Boulder OSMP trails: East and North Boulder
Since July 1, 2023, the City of Boulder has allowed Class 1 and 2 eBikes on specific Open Space and Mountain Parks trails. In East Boulder they include Cottontail, Cottonwood, East Boulder-Gunbarrel, East Boulder-White Rocks, Teller Farm, the IBM Connector and Valmont area paths. In North Boulder they include Cobalt, Eagle, Foothills South, Left Hand, North Rim, Sage and Wonderland Lake. The Open Space Board approved the change in February 2023, and Council followed in June. The rule is simple: if bikes are already banned on a trail, eBikes are too. E-scooters and e-skateboards are prohibited on OSMP. Bikers yield to hikers and horses.
Distance: Trail lengths vary; check the City of Boulder OSMP eBike guide; start: Several access points; check the city OSMP map; surface: Check the manager page for current surface.
eBike access: Class 1 and 2 are allowed on the listed OSMP trails only. Class 3 is prohibited on city open space trails. Nothing is open where bikes are banned. Etiquette and planning: Yield to hikers and horses, ride only the listed trails, and check the city guide before each ride, since the list can change. Managing source: City of Boulder, Guide to electric bikes on Boulder open space.
Planning a Boulder County ride
The sources do not list charging stations, so plan your range yourself. Charge at your shop, hotel or home before you ride. Longer routes like Coal Creek at 14 miles and the US 36 Bikeway at 18 miles are easier with a full battery, especially on soft surfaces, which use more power. Carry water and a spare tube, and tell someone your route.
Crowds are heaviest on Boulder Creek Path in town, where walkers and families share the 15 mph limit. Regional trails like LoBo and Coal Creek are easier to ride at a steady pace. Trails can close or change rules, so check the county and city pages before you go. The county notes e-motos are ticketed and fined, so confirm your bike is a compliant eBike.
Half-day and full-day eBike plans
Half day: Ride Boulder Creek Path, the 5.5-mile path from Boulder Canyon to Stazio Ballfields, and stop downtown at the Dushanbe Teahouse. It suits Class 1 and 2 riders who want a short, easy outing with plenty to see. Keep to 15 mph, and slow to 8 mph at crosswalks.
Full day: Ride the LoBo Trail from Boulder through Gunbarrel and Niwot toward Longmont, then plan your return. The system is 12 miles, so it fits a full day with stops. Another option is Coal Creek Trail, 14 miles from Superior through Louisville and Lafayette to Erie.
With kids: Choose Boulder Creek Path for a short, mostly familiar ride, and keep speeds low near crosswalks. Skip Class 3 for anyone under 16, since Colorado bars it. For a gentler plains option, check the county's list of open trails such as Wonderland Lake in the OSMP guide.
What not to ride in Boulder County
Foothills and mountain trails: Boulder County prohibits eBikes on foothills and mountain trails, including Anne U. White, Bald Mountain, Betasso Preserve, Caribou Ranch, Hall Ranch, Heil Valley Ranch, Mud Lake, Ron Stewart Preserve at Rabbit Mountain and Walker Ranch, so plan plains routes instead.
Class 3 on city paths and trails: The City of Boulder prohibits Class 3 eBikes on all multi-use paths and open space trails it manages. Class 3 riders aged 16 and older must stay on streets and bike lanes. Boulder Creek Path is closed to Class 3.
E-motos: Boulder County prohibits e-motos, meaning bikes over 750 W or faster than 28 mph, on its open space, and they are ticketed and fined. The City of Boulder also bars e-motos from sidewalks, multi-use paths and bike lanes.
State wildlife areas and state trust lands: Colorado Parks and Wildlife limits riding on State Wildlife Areas and State Trust Lands to designated roads, camping areas and parking where motor vehicles are allowed. Do not assume trails there are open to eBikes.
When to ride Boulder County
The sources give no seasonal hours, so check each manager page for closures. Along the Front Range, summer afternoons can be hot, and shade is limited on open plains trails. Mornings and evenings are usually cooler and quieter. Winter and spring can bring snow, mud or wet surfaces, which matter most on soft-surface trails like Coal Creek and Rock Creek. Weekends are busiest on Boulder Creek Path. Pick weekday mornings for fewer crowds.
Colorado eBike laws and route permission
Colorado defines an electrical assisted bicycle in C.R.S. 42-1-102 as a two or three wheeled bike with fully operable pedals and an electric motor not over 750 watts. There are three classes. Class 1 gives assist only while you pedal and stops assisting at 20 mph. Class 2 can assist without pedaling and also stops at 20 mph. Class 3 assists only while you pedal and stops at 28 mph. A bike that has been modified out of every class, or that is built or sold to be easily configured past the class limits, does not count as an e-bike.
Under C.R.S. 42-4-1412, e-bike riders have the same rights and duties as drivers, subject to local ordinances. Class 1 and 2 e-bikes may use a bike or pedestrian path where bicycles are authorized. A local authority may prohibit them there. Class 3 e-bikes are not allowed on those paths unless the path is within a street or highway or the local authority permits it. Riders under 16 may not ride Class 3, though they can be passengers on a bike designed for passengers. HB25-1197 was signed May 28, 2025 and took effect Aug 6, 2025. It adds seller disclosures and multiple mode e-bike rules. From Jan 1, 2027, multiple-mode labels must show the highest class or each class.
Colorado has no statewide helmet rule for Class 1 or 2 riders. Class 3 operators and passengers under 18 must wear a CPSC or ASTM bicycle helmet with a chin strap. Compliant e-bikes need no license or registration. Labels must show class, top assisted speed and wattage, and must be updated after any modification (C.R.S. 42-4-221). Under HB25-1197, falsely labeling a non-e-bike as an e-bike is a deceptive trade practice. For more detail, see our guide to Colorado eBike laws.
Trail access is decided locally. Under C.R.S. 42-4-111, local authorities may authorize or prohibit e-bikes on bike or pedestrian paths. So a path that allows Class 1 and 2 in one town can be closed to them in the next. Class 3 riders have it tighter, since they need the local authority's permission on most paths. Check the posted rules or the managing agency before you ride, and do not assume a state rule overrides a local sign.
State parks have their own rule. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on roadways, designated bike lanes, and multi-use trails and other areas open to non-motorized biking. In State Wildlife Areas and State Trust Lands, e-bikes are limited to designated roads, camping and parking where motor vehicles are allowed. The sources conflict on one point: Jeffco and Lakewood pages still say Class 1 e-bikes are allowed in all state parks where bicycles are permitted, which is older wording than CPW's page. Follow CPW. Keep your class label accurate too. A modified bike may not legally count as an e-bike.
Boulder County Parks & Open Space allows Class 1 and 2 on designated regional and plains trails and prohibits eBikes on foothills and mountain trails. Commissioners approved plains use on November 13, 2019, after a pilot. Class 3 is allowed only on the US 36 Bikeway. E-motos are ticketed and fined. The LoBo Trail has a short signed exception near Twin Lakes. Colorado law lets local authorities allow or prohibit eBikes on paths they control.
The City of Boulder sets its own rules. Class 1 and 2 are allowed on multi-use paths, with a 15 mph limit and 8 mph in crosswalks. Class 3 riders aged 16 and older must stay on streets and bike lanes. Class 1 and 2 have been allowed on listed OSMP trails since July 1, 2023, and no eBikes go where bikes are banned. E-scooters and e-skateboards are prohibited on OSMP.
Sources disagree on state parks. Colorado Parks and Wildlife says Class 1 and 2 are allowed on roadways, bike lanes and multi-use trails open to non-motorized biking. Jeffco and Lakewood pages still say Class 1 eBikes are allowed in state parks where bicycles are permitted, which is older wording. HB25-1197 took effect August 6, 2025. From January 1, 2027, multiple-mode eBike labels must show the highest class or each class.
Frequently asked questions
Which Boulder County routes allow Class 1 and 2?
Boulder County lists Coal Creek, LoBo, Rock Creek and the US 36 Bikeway as regional trails open to Class 1 and 2. The City of Boulder also allows them on multi-use paths like Boulder Creek Path and on listed OSMP trails. Always check the manager page for signs or closures.
How long is the LoBo Trail?
The county describes LoBo as a 12-mile trail system through Gunbarrel, Niwot and open space, connecting Boulder and Longmont. It is not a single marked path, so check the county map for access points. A short signed area near Twin Lakes open space is closed to eBikes.
Is Coal Creek Trail paved?
No. The county describes Coal Creek Trail as a 14-mile soft-surface regional trail. It runs from South 66th Street in Superior through Louisville and Lafayette to Vista Parkway in Erie. Expect a slower ride than on pavement, and plan your battery accordingly.
Why is the US 36 Bikeway different?
It is the only Boulder County Parks & Open Space trail that allows Class 3. CDOT says it is 18 miles between Denver and Boulder, with 12-foot lanes and 2-foot shoulders. Class 3 riders must be 16 or older, and riders under 18 need a helmet.
Can I use a throttle eBike here?
A Class 2 eBike has a throttle that assists whether or not you pedal, up to 20 mph. Boulder County and the City of Boulder both allow Class 2 on the routes listed above. Class 3 is pedal assist only, up to 28 mph, and is more restricted.
What is the speed limit on Boulder Creek Path?
City multi-use paths, including Boulder Creek Path, have a 15 mph limit. In crosswalks the limit is 8 mph. The path is 5.5 miles long and runs through downtown Boulder, so expect walkers and families. Class 3 eBikes are not allowed on it.
Are there guided eBike tours?
Yes: the directory lists tour and rental businesses including JD's Joyrides eBike Tours & Rentals, Colorado eBike Tours - Boulder and PEDAL Adventures, along with Pedego Electric Bikes Boulder. Ask each business about its routes, classes and any age limits before you book.
Do I need a license or registration?
Colorado does not require a license or registration for a compliant eBike. Federal-style class limits still apply: 750 W motor, 20 mph for Class 1 and 2, 28 mph for Class 3. Under HB25-1197, a bike modified out of every class is not an eBike. Read the Colorado eBike laws guide.
All eBike shops in Boulder County
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