The Steamboat Springs Police Department has seen a “noticeable rise” in unsafe e-bike and motorcycle usage in the city, particularly among teens, states a news release from the city.

Routt County Riders, a Steamboat-based organization that advocates for cyclists in Northwest Colorado, urges all riders to practice safe biking behavior, regardless of the type of bike.

Steamboat police added that some teens have been “fleeing from officers” after committing a violation, states the release.

“We take these incidents seriously and violating the law on an electric motorcycle will result in consequences, including possible criminal charges and vehicle impoundment,” said Steamboat Police Chief Mark Beckett in a statement. “More importantly, fleeing from police, in any vehicle, is a crime and can have unintended consequences such as serious collisions resulting in life-changing injuries. It won’t be tolerated.”

Both Steamboat police and Routt County Riders encourage parents of children who bike to school to know the difference between e-bike classes and motorbikes, and inform kids about the riding laws.

“I think the rise in (unsafe riding) comes from families who either don’t have the information, don’t care, or don’t see that there’s a difference between (Class 3 e-bikes) and others,” said Routt County Riders Executive Director Laraine Martin.

In March, Steamboat Springs city council members voted unanimously to formally authorize the use of Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on community trails, as well as designate slow zones on Sailors Way Trail and Butcherknife Trail.

Class 1 e-bikes, which require pedaling, and Class 2 e-bikes, which include a throttle, both reach a max speed of 20 mph.

Police and Martin encourage all riders, especially those who commute to school, to heed all speed limits on community trails for the safety of themselves and other trail users.

Class 3 e-bikes, which have a throttle and can reach speeds of about 30 mph, are not allowed on community trails.

Police noted that they have seen a rise in electric motorcycle use, or electric dirt bikes, which are only allowed to be driven on roadways and highways, not community trails. All e-motorcycle riders must have a valid motorcycle-endorsed license, state registration, plates and insurance, states the release.

“This is not a super common practice,” added Martin. “I really don’t think the community needs to have an impression that there are hundreds of kids who are 12 years old out on motorbikes commuting to school. But there’s definitely a handful of them, and we’re just trying to get the message out.”

To help educate kids about bike safety, Routt County Riders hosts a Street Smarts Program for all sixth graders at Steamboat Springs Middle School, Sleeping Giant Middle School and Hayden Middle School.

The program gathers sixth graders during school hours to learn about bike laws, safe biking practices like using a hand signal and wearing helmets and go on scenario-based rides.

“There are a lot of kids who have tons of experience riding their bikes around town, and then there are some who just don’t,” said Martin. “There’s a really broad range of experience levels and we’re trying to level that playing field with this program.”

Martin added that she enjoys seeing kids and teens practicing safe biking habits on trails and roads, and knows the Street Smarts Program is causing positive change when kids ride responsibly.

Martin hopes parents continue to enforce safe riding and emphasized the importance of wearing a helmet.

“Ride defensively,” continued Martin. “Consider everything around you, keep your head on a swivel and always be considering all the other trail users … Know that you’re vulnerable on a bike and you can take a lot of power back into your own hands by riding safely.”