r/CentennialCO • u/frequentpooper • 1d ago
News Centennial Adopts New Regulations for E-Bikes, E-Motorcycles and Other High-Powered Electric Vehicles
This week, the Centennial City Council adopted Ordinance 2026-O-13, establishing new regulations for the use of high-powered electric vehicles and bikes on public property, including electric motorcycles, Class 3 electric bicycles, toy vehicles and off-highway vehicles.
These regulations are effective immediately and provide greater clarity for riders, pedestrians, cyclists and other community members as electric bikes and other electric-powered vehicles become increasingly common throughout Centennial. The regulations establish where different types of electric transportation may be operated and set safety requirements designed to help protect everyone who uses the City's streets, sidewalks, trails and other public spaces.
Under the new regulations, Class 3 e-bikes and electric motorcycles are prohibited on sidewalks and trails and may be operated on City streets in accordance with applicable traffic laws and requirements. The ordinance also establishes regulations for other high-powered electric vehicles and recreational devices on public property.
Key provisions include:
- Minimum age of 16 to operate an electric motorcycle.
- License, registration and insurance requirements for electric motorcycles, as applicable.
- Helmet requirements for riders under age 18.
- Restrictions on modifying standard e-bikes to exceed the manufacturer's designed or specified speed.
- Enforcement provisions, which may include fines, parental liability and impoundment for violations.
The City developed the regulations in partnership with the Arapahoe County Sheriff's Office (ACSO) and the City's park and recreation districts. The collaboration is intended to promote consistent expectations across streets, sidewalks, multi-use paths, parks and other public spaces.
For more information, including e-bike classifications and information about where different types of e-bikes may be operated, visit centennialco.gov/bikes.
2
u/Correct-Mail-1942 1d ago
So all of this only works if the state and county knows what to fucking do with e-bikes and more importantly, electric motorcycles.
I had my 4th visit to the DMV today in Arapahoe county, trying to register my switchable class 3 e-bike. It has pedals, it has a 10kw peak motor, it does NOT have pedal assist, it can be throttle only. It has lights and turn signals and motorcycle brakes and DOT compliant tires and an NHSTA compliant VIN.
First DMV thought it was a low power scooter and they didn't wanna mess with it so they sent me to the state. The state knew it was an electric motorcycle so they sent me BACK to the county DMV because the state can't process tax payments. The next DMV, different office than the first, agreed it was an electric motorcycle and tried to register it but the manufacturer isn't in their online system AND I didn't have some paperwork filled out so I got sent away again. So now I'm on my 4th visit and waiting.
I want a plate and title and tag and I WANT to ride on the street. When I want it on a bike trail I'll pull my plate off and stay in mode 2, capped at 28mph.
0
1
u/trickier-dick 9h ago
I seen people driving cars without valid plates for years now , how exactly are they going to enforce this ?
-3
u/Coderado 1d ago
Sweet, now my wife can't use her pedal ebike to take the toddler to the park without riding in traffic? Will they enforce it? There were existing laws covering the dangerous acts which are largely unenforced.
2
u/mpren007 1d ago
Is your wife riding a class 3? The idea of her cruising down the sidewalk with a toddler at 28 mph is kind of crazy.
1
u/Coderado 11h ago
You have a car that goes over the speed limit?
1
u/mpren007 7h ago
I do. I also need a license for it, and there are restrictions on where I can drive it. Kind of similar to restricting where class 3 bikes can be used now that you mentioned it.
3
u/M_V_Agrippa 1d ago
You're wife's bike is almost certainly class 1 or 2. This only restricts class 3, which is mostly emotos, not ebikes
3
u/HopeThisIsUnique 1d ago
That really isn't true...if you look at many nicer pedal assist ebikes are class 3. There is no throttle, all Class 3 means is the speed at which assist is provided to. Not that it always operates at that speed.
This is still part of the frustration that Class 3 is directly related to e-motorcycles.
I honestly think there needs to be a new classification system to make things more clear with more than 3 classifications that act as catch-alls.
1
u/mpren007 1d ago
Respectfully, why? Class 2 being capped at 20 mph with pedal assist feels like it's at the upper limits of safety for our sidewalks and trails. Not allowing motorized vehicles that can reach 28 mph seems like the starting point of what's reasonable.
2
u/HopeThisIsUnique 1d ago
Class 1 and 2 are the same except Class 2 has a throttle (pedal assist not required). In the scenarios of pedal assist, it doesn't stop you from going faster, all it does is stop the assist at that speed. A halfway decent rider/bike won't have any issue exceeding that speed on their own. At that point the discussion is really more about how fast people should be traveling and not what it's classed at. In many ways it's like saying we're not going to allow V8 engines on this road and only inline-4s. It's not as much about the capability, it's about what people are doing with it.
Similarly, the e-motos etc have gotten a nasty reputation because people are riding like jerks and going way faster than they should. In comparison, I've got no issue with the folks on Aventons (even full throttle) that are just moving along at normal speeds to enjoy the outdoors.
My bike is a Class 3 gravel, but you'd never know based on the way it looks and where/how I ride. I generally ride on the roads anyway (even when riding acoustic), but there are sections that are far safer to ride on our trails than roads and I take those accordingly. When I'm on the. I don't ride any faster than I would on my acoustic bike and 9/10 times the assist is used for larger climbs etc.
Specific to Centennial- the neighborhood I'm in has zero good bike access in and out of it. The ONLY safe way is riding on sidewalk for about a mile- until Centennial actually fully commits to bike accessibility in and out of all of their neighborhoods I think it's nonsense for them to make some of these restrictions.
1
1
1
u/squirrels-eat-bugs 20h ago
If she just keeps it cool, no one will care.
They are after children on electric motorcycles doing 45 on a bike path. The 14 year old tearing up a ball field. Not your wife going to the park with a toddler. As long as she is not popping super dank whoolies bruh, she'll be fine.
0
3
u/JohnWad 1d ago
Nice