After serious crashes, Broomfield officials push e-bike safety, awareness of the law

The Broomfield Police Department has experienced eight "serious injury crashes" in the past year that involved e-bikes or scooters, according to Sgt. Larry Ottosen. These crashes included two e-bikes and the rest were low-powered scooters. Ottosen emphasized that this is a nationwide problem, not unique to Broomfield. A key issue is that purchasers of these smaller vehicles may not be aware of their power or the laws surrounding their use.

The city aims to address this with an online resource on Broomfield.org/E-Bike, which explains the differences between various small electric vehicles, where they can be legally ridden, and when licenses or certifications are required. For instance, only specific e-bikes are permitted on Broomfield trails, and improper usage can cause damage to trails and pose safety risks to wildlife habitats.

The city seeks to foster a culture of etiquette and responsibility among e-vehicle users and other community members. If residents have any questions, they can contact the Broomfield Police Department via the non-emergency line at 303-438-6400 or via email at bpd@broomfield.org.