E-biking

Where to ride an e-bike in Crested Butte and Gunnison

E-biking in Colorado allows riders to explore both roads and trails across the state. The range of an e-bike is often farther than that of an average person riding an analog bike, allowing for farther-flung adventures. New trail e-bikes perform similarly to dual-suspension mountain bikes and ride smoothly on singletrack trails.

While some trails in Gunnison and Crested Butte allow e-bikes, many do not. This guide to Colorado e-biking outlines the different classes of e-bikes and where each is allowed in Gunnison Valley and beyond. Browse a map of e-bike trails, and find a bike shop that rents out e-bikes. Keep reading for all this and more info on how to plan an e-biking trip to Crested Butte and Gunnison!

What is an e-bike?

All electric bikes have pedals, and their motors can’t exceed 750 watts of output. E-bikes are separated into three different classes based on how the motor works and how fast they can go under motor power.

Types of e-bikes

On pedal-assisted electric bikes, the motor provides assistance only while the rider is pedaling.

On throttle-assisted electric bikes, the motor runs when the throttle is engaged, regardless of whether the rider is pedaling.

Trail e-bikes are a type of e-bike designed to ride on rugged terrain. Many have suspension and frame geometry similar to that of an analog mountain bike.

Classes of e-bikes

A Class 1 provides pedal assistance only up to 20 mph. Class 1 electric bikes don’t have throttles.

A Class 2 has a throttle that will only run the motor up to 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes also have pedal assistance.

A Class 3 is a pedal- and throttle-assisted e-bike that stops providing pedal assistance at 28 mph. Class 3 e-bikes have speedometers.

Where to ride your e-bike in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Riding on the road

All types of electric bikes are allowed on paved and dirt roads. Gunnison County’s 1,100-plus miles of Forest Service roads are open to e-bikes, too.

Tips for riding an e-bike on the road

Abide by the same road rules as a regular bicycle:

Ride on the road (not on the sidewalk) and with the flow of traffic
Use hand signals when turning
Ride single file
Use a headlight and taillight when riding at night
Yield to pedestrians
Keep speed under control

To learn more about Colorado bike laws and etiquette of biking on the road, check out Bicycle Colorado’s Rules of the Road page.

E-bike trails in Crested Butte and Gunnison

Plan your e-bike ride

Browse the map below to discover the roads and trails where e-bikes are allowed in Crested Butte, Gunnison and everywhere in between.

Crested Butte on Trailforks.com

Popular Colorado e-biking trails in the Gunnison Valley

Several trails in Crested Butte and Gunnison are ideal for e-bikes. These trails might be very far away from trailheads or include steep sections that human-powered pedalers shy away from.

Teocalli Ridge

This classic Colorado mountain bike route in the Brush Creek drainage features an incredibly steep two-mile climb to the top of the ridge that is much easier with a motor!

Hartman Rocks

All trails at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area in Gunnison are open to e-bikes. Easily cruise up technical rock gardens on trails like Josie’s, Rattlesnake and Top of the World.

Reno-Flag-Bear-Deadman’s

Pedal assistance offers relief from the three brutal climbs on this 19-mile epic in the Cement Creek trail zone.

E-biking vs. mountain biking

Electric biking and mountain biking have a lot in common, and the Gunnison Valley has trails for both. Aside from the obvious lack of a motor in a regular mountain bike, there are several differences between electric bikes and mountain bikes.

The first and most important difference is that e-bikes aren’t allowed on many mountain bike trails due to most land managers’ classification of electric bikes as motorized vehicles. (See the next section to learn more about this.)

E-bikes are also much heavier than mountain bikes, and they’re capable of going faster than a mountain bike, especially uphill. With a range of up to 100 miles, electric bikes allow for longer rides than most mountain bikers can do in a day.

E-bikes can be a great tool for adaptive athletes and have opened the sport to many people who have previously lacked access to mountain biking.

Six e-bike riders on a dirt road with mountain peaks in the background

Are e-bikes allowed on trails?

Class 1 and 2 electric bikes are allowed on some trails, but not all. A general rule is that e-bikes can go wherever a motorcycle or dirt bike can go. Read trailhead signage thoroughly, and check with the local land management agency (U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, Colorado Parks & Wildlife, etc.) before riding on any trail that does not have explicit signage.

Class 3 electric bikes are not allowed on any trails.

What trails are e-bikes allowed on in Crested Butte?

E-biking is allowed on all motorized trails in Gunnison National Forest. However, these bikes are not permitted on any non-motorized trails in Gunnison National Forest. There is a large concentration of motorized trails between the Cement Creek and Brush Creek drainages, which would be a good place to start planning a route. Check out Crested Butte Mountain Bike Association’s e-bike page for a complete list of trails open to e-bikes in Crested Butte.

What trails are e-bikes allowed on in Gunnison?

All trails at Hartman Rocks Recreation Area are open to electric bikes. Beginners might want to learn the ropes on Evan’s Loop (Sea of Sage, Lost Dog and Broken Shovel). Intermediate riders will want to explore Aberdeen Loop and the other trails south of the Powerline Road. Expert riders will enjoy The Ridge and Josh-o’s.

E-bikes are not allowed on any trails in the Signal Peak trail system.

E-bike trail etiquette

Trail etiquette for e-biking is identical to that of mountain biking, with added emphasis on being alert and courteous towards slower-moving trail users.

Ride only open trails. Avoid riding muddy trails. If you encounter mud, ride through it, not around it. Never ride off-trail. Practice the principles of Leave No Trace.
Share the trail. Bikes yield to hikers and horses. Descending riders yield to climbing riders. Be kind!
Ride in control and at a safe speed.
Plan ahead. Know your route. Tell someone where you’re going. Download a map app on your phone or bring a paper map.
Bring plenty of snacks, water, sunscreen and extra layers. Bring the tools and the know-how to fix your bike in case of a flat tire or other minor mechanical issues.
Respect wildlife and livestock.

Check out the International Mountain Bike Association’s Rules of the Trail to learn more about etiquette and Leave No Trace practices for electric bikers and mountain bikers.

Packing for a Colorado e-biking trip

This guide for what to bring on a mountain biking trip also applies to packing for an e-biking trip.

Bike rental shops in Gunnison and Crested Butte

Listed below are all the mountain bike gear and rental shops in the Gunnison Valley. Most rent or sell e-bikes, but it’s best to call ahead to confirm.

Other types of cycling

Pedal through Gunnison and Crested Butte on every type of bike!

MTB through lupine wildflowers on a sunny summer day in the mountains.

Mountain biking

Curious to explore trails where e-bikes aren’t allowed? Try an analog mountain bike and expand your horizons to 800-plus miles of singletrack trail. This encompasses the Crested Butte town trails, Signal Peak and MTB trails in Gunnison National Forest.

Go mountain biking

Gravel biking

Explore more then 1,000 miles of dirt roads in the Gunnison Valley via a gravel bike. Explore sage oceans and unique rock formations in Gunnison, ride through history in Tincup, and take in (literally) breathtaking views on mountainous rides in Crested Butte.

Try gravel biking