Boulder’s Bike Ban

The story of the country’s longest standing bike ban.

Boulder’s Bike Ban

The City of Boulder has the dubious distinction of the country’s longest standing bike ban on singletrack trails in public open space. Few now remember the early days of klunkers when locals took their new-fangled off-road bikes on the Mesa Trail. That ended when Boulder prohibited bicycling in the area around the Flatirons in 1983. City Council reconfirmed and expanded the ban in 1987. To this day, bikes are not allowed on any of the 70 miles of trails between Eldorado Springs and Wonderland Lake.

The reasons given for the closure were the scientifically refuted claim that bikes cause more resource damage than hikers1 and worries of user conflict. “Hikers and other naturalists argued that the bikes erode trails, disrupt the tranquil setting of a nature trail and pose a danger to hikers” (1983)2 and “…it is the purpose of the open space trustees to protect and preserve our natural environment.” (1987)3

In 1998 the Boulder Mountain Parks & Open Space’s (OSMP) department began a planning process that created some hope that the bike ban could be overturned or at least modified. The seven-year planning process resulted in the 2005 Visitor Master Plan which divided Open Space into regional sections (Trail Study Areas (TSA)) for evaluation. The 2005 Marshall Mesa/Southern Grasslands TSA and the 2006 Eldorado Mountain/Doudy Draw TSA went well for mountain bikers. The existing Doudy Draw trail was reopened to bikes and the plans called for the creation of the new singletrack trails Crowdy Draw, Coal Seam, High Plains, Springbrook, Flatiron Vista and Prairie Vista to be open to bikes as well.

In 2008, the first whispers of a re-evaluation of the western Open Space lands began, with the public process starting in earnest in 2010 to plan the West Trails Study Area (West TSA). The success of the first two TSAs gave BMA the hope that there would be some bike access reopened in the west by the Flatirons as well. OSMP formed a citizen advisory group called the Community Collaborative Group (CCG) to give stakeholders and neighborhoods a voice in the process. OSMP mandated consensus as the decision-making process so just one dissenting vote could end any decision. BMA’s aspirations were of a north-south singletrack connection starting at Baseline Rd. and ending at Doudy Draw. A second, shorter option would be a connection between Shanahan Ridge and Doudy Draw.

A neighborhood group calling themselves Save Open Space Boulder (SOS Boulder) came out vehemently opposed to any bike access, claiming “mountain bikes would pose safety risks to other trail users and that they would fundamentally change the open space experience,”4 any new multi-use trails would irreparably fragment habitat, as well as add parking congestion to the streets. CCG could not come to a consensus on any mountain bike access. Ultimately Boulder City Council voted on March 3, 2011 to uphold the bike ban by a narrow 5-4 majority.

At that March 3, 2011 meeting, City Council requested that OSMP staff evaluate Anemone Hill as a possible multi-use loop or connection to Boulder Canyon and Betasso Preserve. Staff studied these options during the summer and they and the Open Space Board of Trustees recommended a connection be open to bikes, but that route never was deemed viable. Boulder City Council again voted against bike access on November 8, 2011.

The only concessions given were the gravel fire road Chapman Drive and a promise to advocate for the Eldo to Walker multi-use connection – which relied on the cooperation of both the state park and Boulder County. OSMP opened Chapman Drive to bike use in 2013. The Eldo to Walker connection was unilaterally killed by Colorado Parks & Wildlife in 2021.

And where does that leave us today? The city of Boulder does not have plans to revisit the West TSA. Even now, staff is still working on action items from that decision, like the new Anemone Hill hiking trail that partially opened in fall 2021 and won’t fully open until 2022. Additionally, OSMP has yet to start building the North Sky trail or the Boulder Valley Ranch redesign outlined in the 2016 North TSA decision.

So will the Boulder Flatiron bike ban ever be overturned? Answer: not any time soon. Has BMA given up? Answer: heck no!

History

1983

CITY OF BOULDER BANS MOUNTAIN BIKES FROM OPEN SPACE

City Council decides bikes do not belong in Open Space. The reasons given for the closure are the scientifically refuted claim that bikes cause more resource damage than hikers and worries of user conflict. “Hikers and other naturalists argued that the bikes erode trails, disrupt the tranquil setting of a nature trail and pose a danger to hikers.”

 

Parks and Recreation Advisory Board asks for time to study the issue before council makes a decision. Board members ask for more data on environmental impacts.

 

On February 19, bikes are banned from all trails until the Open Space Board of Trustees and the Parks and Recreation Advisory board reopen selected trails.

 

In the summer of 1983, Boulder reopens selected trails to mountain biking, about a third of the total mileage.

1985

LIMITED MOUNTAIN BIKE ACCESS PERMITTED

The Mesa Trail is closed to bikes from NCAR to Chautauqua but some mountain bikers ignore the rule.

 

Few singletrack trails are open to bikes – just the Bluebird Shelter/Enchanted Mesa Loop, the Tenderfoot Loop, and trails south of NCAR. Local bike shop owners encourage trail etiquette and Bicycling Magazine portends, “The tug of war between fat-tire bike riders and environmentalists has just begun.“

 

Map of Open Space roads and trails open to bikes. Area is not well-signed, leading to confusion and noncompliance.

1987

BOULDER UPHOLDS BIKE BAN

City Council bans bikes from the Bluebird Road/Enchanted Mesa Loop and the Tenderfoot Loop. “In 1986 alone, city park rangers fielded 102 complaints about mountain bicyclists – a 500 percent increase from 1985 – observed 136 cyclists in off-limits areas and issued 24 summonses and 256 warnings.” Mention of newly formed Boulder Mountain Bike Coalition. Officials argue that having any trail open to bikes leads to confusion and noncompliance.

 

The Bike Ban officially starts – Boulder bans bikes on Open Space from Eldorado Springs to Wonderland Lake. Bikes are permitted on the Rudd trails (Community Ditch) and the Wonderland Lake trail.

1991

BOULDER OFFROAD ALLIANCE FORMS

In 1991 a dedicated group of riders get together to form the Boulder Offroad Alliance (BOA) to start working to roll back the ban and expand riding opportunities. Galvanized by the death of Sugarloaf resident Sherrill Amendt, BOA’s mission is made all too real. Sherrill is killed on September 3, 1991 by a motorist while riding on Boulder Canyon Drive during a period when the Canyon Trail is closed and gated due to private property issues.

BOA changes its name to the Boulder Mountainbike Alliance in 2006 to avoid confusion with motorized sports.

2005

BOULDER APPROVES THE VISITOR MASTER PLAN (VMP) FOR OPEN SPACE

BMA works closely with BATCO on comments and suggestions for the VMP.

 

The VMP’s purpose is to provide a framework for decisions that will ensure a continued high quality visitor experience, while at the same time ensuring that the lands are protected and preserved for future generations. The plan calls for evaluating open space in a piecemeal fashion with the land from Eldorado Springs to Wonderland Lake as one chunk.

 

The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) compiles research on the environmental impacts and bikes.

 

Dec 2005

MARSHALL MESA/SOUTHERN GRASSLAND TSA

BMA participates in the first TSA and has concerns about an additional resource planning process called the Grasslands Ecosystem Management Plan (GEMP) that makes trail and recreation suggestions.

 

Plans call for new singletrack trails Crowdy Draw, Coal Seam, High Plains and coordination with Boulder County to build Mayhoffer-Singletree and Meadowlark to complete the Dirty Bismark loop.

2006 – 2007

ELDORADO MOUNTAIN/DOUDY DRAW TSA APPROVED

BMA again participates in the public process.

 

The TSA Plan is approved.

 

BMA celebrates a great year!

 

The TSA Plan specifies a Flatiron Vista trail and alignment details are hashed out 2007. BMA is disappointed that the designated trails will follow social trails instead of new more sustainable, interesting and fun alignments.

Fall 2008

BMA STARTS GETTING EXCITED FOR REOPENED TRAIL POSSIBILITIES NEAR THE FLATIRONS

On October 31, 2008 the City of Boulder holds the first meeting to discuss the process for managing trails in the West TSA.

2009

OSMP BEGINS THE WEST TSA AND SELECTS VOLUNTEERS FOR THE COMMUNITY COLLABORATIVE GROUP

OSMP contracts with Peak Facilitation Group to lead a citizen advisory group called the Community Collaborative Group (CCG) in September 2009. The 15 volunteers are selected through a caucus process and approved by OSBT. OSMP mandates consensus as the decision-making process. Mountain bikers are accused of trying to take over the process when rider Kevin Knight, then a professional conservation ecologist with the Environmental Defense Fund, tries to gain a seat with the conservation group. Mark McIntyre is chosen to represent the mountain biking group.

JUNE 2010

CCG OUTLINES STAKEHOLDER PRIORITIES

APR – NOV 2010

PUBLIC PROCESS UNDERWAY

CCG hosts a public meeting to discuss bikes in the West TSA. CCG decides it cannot agree on whether mountain bikes should gain access. Because the group works on consensus, OSMP staff will now make a recommendation to City Council.

 

The meeting spurs many opinion pieces.

Pro-bike:

Anti-bike:

Dec 2010

CCG PRESENTS THEIR RECOMMENDATIONS

CCG presents a 30-page report at a December 6 Open House, the OSBT December 9 meeting sees over 2 hours of public comments.

    Jan – Feb 2011

    PUBLIC GROUPS AND OSMP STAFF OPPOSE BIKE ACCESS

    Prior to the OSBT February 9 board meeting and final City Council vote, staff recommendations and public opinion are not in favor of bike access. Staff does recommend an Eldo to Walker Connector and opening Chapman Drive to bikes. Both suggestions require cooperation from other landowners.

      Feb – Mar 2011

      OSBT MEETINGS

      The Draft West TSA Plan is released is February 1, 2011. OSBT meets on February 9 to discuss draft plans and hear public comments. On February 10, OSBT has a study session with OSMP staff and directs them to look at a southern connection to Eldorado Springs and bike access to a new Anemone Hill loop trail. The final West TSA plan is released on February 18 and OSBT votes on February 23 for a recommendation to City Council. OSBT votes approval on Eldo to Walker and Chapman Drive options.

        Mar 2011

        MOUNTAIN BIKE DECISION UP TO CITY COUNCIL

        City Council holds a meeting on March 15 to hear public opinion and sparks more opinion pieces.

          Mar 19, 2011

          OSMP STAFF DISCOVER ILLEGAL ‘ANGRY RANGER’ TRAIL ON FLAGSTAFF MOUNTAIN

          Just prior to the City Council vote a Boulder resident and professional mountain bike racer is caught and ticketed for riding an illegal trail. BMA president Jason Vogel writes that BMA does not condone illegal trail building, breaking rules or trespassing.

            Mar 30, 2011

            CITY COUNCIL VOTES TO UPHOLD THE BIKE BAN

            City Council goes with staff recommendations for the West TSA and votes to keep bikes out of the West TSA. The Eldo to Walker connection, Chapman Drive and an Anemone loop remain viable.

              Jul – Nov 2011

              ANEMONE HILL MOUNTAIN BIKE OPTIONS CONSIDERED AND THEN DEFEATED

              OSMP starts the public process to evaluate Anemone Hill with a public meeting on July 19.

                 

                OSBT recommends a 5-mile loop open to bikes while OSMP staff recommends a 3-mile connector trail from Settler’s Park to Fourmile Canyon and keeping the ‘Ridge Loop’ for hikers and equestrians.

                 

                City Council votes no on both options.

                Nov 2011

                DISHEARTENED MOUNTAIN BIKERS LICK THEIR WOUNDS

                Oct 2011 – Jun 2013

                CHAPMAN DRIVE

                Boulder votes to buy parcels and work with a private land trust to open Chapman Drive to bikes. Despite this existing corridor open to emergency vehicles, it still takes a public process to open to bikes. The trail opens in January 2013 but it isn’t until June 2013 that bikes are allowed downhill travel. BMA is disappointed that this isn’t a singletrack trail but hopes that it could one day become part of a longer, off-road regional trail connection.

                2013 – 2021

                THE ELDO TO WALKER MULTI-USE CONNECTOR TRAIL

                The last recommendation of the West TSA is the long anticipated Eldo to Walker Trail. Staff begins a feasibility study in 2013 and the public process kicks off in August 2018. After 6 contentious months, staff puts the Eldo to Walker Trail Connector Public Process on hold while Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) conducts a Visitor Use Management Study for Eldorado Canyon State Park.

                In April 2021 CPW announces that they “will not be adding the multi-use connection to the Eldo-Walker trail. Park operations cannot support building and maintaining a new segment of trail or increasing visitation for another recreational use causing exacerbated safety concerns on the congested park road.“

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