The hundreds of miles of trails in the Denver metro area are not just for joggers, cyclists or dog walkers anymore.
New laws and newer technologies are allowing those who have mobility disabilities or are elderly to become frequent trailblazers.
And it is local governments who are caught trying to find the right balance so those using motorized devices and pedestrians can share trails safely, protect natural resources and follow the law.
Cities have been adjusting trail-use policies since the Department of Justice in 2011 amended the Americans with Disabilities Act to give people with disabilities and those who use motorized devices like wheelchairs or even Segways access to most any public place a pedestrian can go.
The city of Aurora is adopting new policies for power-driven devices on trails, parks and open spaces for people who have disabilities and want to use their motorized device on city property.
Denver already has rules in place to only allow electric motorized devices for the disabled. Boulder has a draft policy in place that hasn’t yet been adopted.
Jenna Katsaros, special project coordinator for Aurora Parks, Recreation & Open Spaces, said the justice department’s ruling could have allowed any motorized device — even a Humvee — on trails, parks and reservoirs, so the city began assessing what is safe and non-intrusive to nature areas.
“Park rangers and other field staff have seen an increase in these types of devices,” Katsaros said. “We want to encourage everyone to use our trail system.”
Aurora does not allow any vehicle on a trail that is powered by fuel. Electric vehicles are OK, but they can’t exceed 55 decibels. Items such as Segways cannot take up more than 40 percent of a given trail to allow passage for pedestrians.
People who use the trail system in Aurora don’t seem to have a problem with sharing it with motorized vehicles. Erik Schultz, who was using the High Line Canal trail in Aurora on a recent day, said he hasn’t seen any conflicts between pedestrians and motorized vehicles.
“You don’t want a big Harley coming down the trail,” Schultz said. “With the smaller ones, as long as people are vocal that they’re coming up on you, I don’t see a problem.”
In Denver, parks spokeswoman Angela Casias said while the city allows for the use of electric motorized for the disabled, officials are in the process of studying how to regulate Segways on city property.
“Anything that is used for the purpose of getting someone who is mobility challenged around is OK,” Casias said.
Boulder is currently in a pilot program that permits anyone to use “electric-assist,” or e-bikes, on designated trails or paths, said senior transportation planner Marni Ratzel. Bicycles with electric motors can be used to help people, including the elderly, make it up a steep incline.
“We have an aging population,” Ratzel said. “People are choosing to age in place with walkable and bikeable friendly communities. People in our communities who have less access to cars are the young and the old.”
Carlos Illescas: 303-954-1175, cillescas@denverpost.com or twitter.com/cillescasdp
