Urban Biking

Colorado Springs affords many opportunities for residents to enjoy time outdoors and one pleasant way to do so is to go for a bicycle ride. In 2007, more than 53 miles of on-street bicycle lanes, 118 miles of urban bicycle trails and about 61 miles of un-paved mountain bike trails were available to bicyclists in Colorado Springs. And, in 2007 alone approximately 32,000 bicycles were sold within the City. To serve the community’s desire to expand bicycling opportunities, the City has an active bicycle program that is guided by a Council-adopted a Bicycle Plan and funded it by a Bicycle Tax.

The City has a network of trails, lanes and routes which are designed to interconnect for a variety of riding options. Bike trails are non-motorized, paved routes. Bicycle lanes, marked by signs and street markings, provide a bike-specific lane to travel in. Bike routes, marked by signs, are streets with less traffic and lower speed limits that make them conducive to bicycle travel.

Hikers, runners and bicyclists are now able to travel from Palmer Lake to Fountain on a continuous pathway that ties together the New Santa Fe Regional Trail, Pikes Peak Greenway and the Fountain Creek Regional

The 35-mile stretch has never been completely accessible before, but the Pikes Peak Greenway, the center stretch of this trail, conceived in 1991, was completed in the summer of 2002. The Greenway was all but finished before a devastating flood tore it apart in 1999. Work on some pieces of the Greenway, including new footbridges at several locations and the rebuilding of the trail was recently completed.

The Urban Trails of Colorado Springs are all designated as multi-use trails. This means that any non-motorized use of the trail is permitted. All of the trails are open to joggers, bicyclists, walkers, equestrians, roller blades, etc. The only exception to this rule is through Monument Valley Park, where deed restrictions prohibit equestrian use of the trail. Please follow trail etiquette while utilizing any trail. The current Urban Trail System consists of over 100 miles of trails, with another 100+ miles of planned trails identified in the Urban Trails Master Plan.

The current trail standard is based on a “tier” system, with tier 1 being primarily the main “spine” trails, tier 2 being those trails that primarily feed the tier 1 trails, and tier 3 being smaller, natural trails.

Tier 1 & 2 trails are planned as hard primary surface with soft shoulders to accommodate all users. The standard for tier 1 trails is 12′ wide hard surface with 2′ – 4′ soft shoulder, with a preferred landscape buffer between the hard and soft trail surface.

Tier 2 trails also have the same 12′ standard, but without the landscape buffer.
Tier 3 trails are primarily gravel or natural surface, with a 4′ – 6′ trail width.
The primary trail corridors will include three sets of north-south trails and three sets of east-west trails. They will provide access to major residential, shopping and business areas of the City.

The Pikes Peak Greenway Detailed Links Map opens a general map of the Greenway first, and then allows you to view detailed sections of the Greenway. The sections are termed “reaches,” as identified in the Pikes Peak Greenway Master Plan approved in 1994. The detailed maps also have mileage shown between trail intersections, pedestrian bridges and trailheads to help you plan your trail routes. The total length of the Pikes Peak Greenway (as maintained by the city) from the El Pomar Youth Sports Complex (south end) to the New Santa Fe Trail (north of Woodmen Rd) is 14 miles.

After you open the Interactive Urban Trail Map, you can click on a blue colored trail name and view a more detailed map of that trail and any adjoining trails.

Before You Get Started

Consider the Legacy Loop

Whether a resident or visitor to the Pikes Peak region, one great way to bike around the city of Colorado Springs is via the Legacy Loop. One great article from the Colorado Springs Independent, February, 2018 can be found HERE.

You can also obtain information about the Loop at the Colorado Springs Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services website HERE.

Look for new trail signs (see the picture above) marking the Legacy Loop!

Leave No Trace Outdoor Ethics for Mountain Biking

Plan Ahead and Prepare

Ensure your mountain bike is in good, working order. A properly maintained mountain bike reduces the risk of injury, a long walk out, or both.
Check with land managers, local bike shops, local cycling groups, and. mtbproject.com for the most up-to-date trail information.
Schedule your trip to avoid times of high use and ride in small groups of 3-4.
Be self-sufficient and pack appropriately. A rain shell, multi-tool, spare tube, pump, and food all help ensure a safe and fun ride.
Wear a helmet and other appropriate safety gear. It could save your life.

Travel on Durable Surfaces

For biking, durable surfaces include established trails, dirt roads, and pavement. Off-trail travel by bike is not often allowed. Check local regulations.
Respect trail and road closures. Do not trespass on private land and obtain permits when necessary. Bicycles are not permitted in areas designated as state or federal Wilderness.
Avoid riding muddy, excessively wet, or icy trails. When encountering patches of mud or ice, ride through it and not around to avoid trail widening.
Avoid skidding. Locking up your tires creates ruts, increases erosion, and decreases your control.
Take someone new for a ride and teach him or her proper trail riding technique.

Dispose of Waste Properly

Pack it in, pack it out. Litter can potentially endanger wildlife, attract scavengers, and diminish other visitors’ experiences. This includes toilet paper and other hygiene products.
Designate a pocket for litter, wrappers, and leftover food.
Use restroom facilities before hitting the trail. Otherwise, deposit solid human waste in catholes dug 6 to 8 inches deep at least 200 feet from water, camp, and trails. Cover and disguise the cathole when finished.
Urinate well away from water sources and out of sight of other riders.
Be cool. Leave a favorable impression; not waste.

Leave What You Find

Preserve the past: observe, but do not touch, cultural or historic structures and artifacts. Leave rocks, plants and other natural objects as you find them.
#mtbselfie: photograph yourself being a responsible mountain biker, take pictures of natural objects in the wild and leave them for future preservation.
Avoid introducing or transporting non-native species. Check your clothing, bike, and equipment before and after each ride for seeds. Wash your bike between rides.
Unauthorized trailwork, like berms, bridges, ladders, etc. is not recommended. You could unknowingly damage sensitive vegetation or contribute to further erosion and other trail damage.

Respect Wildlife

Stick to the trail. Wildlife accustomed to riders can predict actions, but riding off-trail confuses wildlife.
Observe wildlife from a distance. Do not follow or approach them.
Never feed animals. Feeding wildlife damages their health, alters natural behaviors, and exposes them to predators and other dangers.
Control pets at all times, or leave them at home.
Avoid wildlife during sensitive times: mating, nesting, winter, dusk, and dawn.

Be Considerate of Other Visitors

Respect other trail users and protect the quality of their experience. Always ride within your limits.
Be courteous. Yield to hikers and equestrians. Be prepared to stop and dismount if the trail is narrow or crowded. Yield to climbing cyclists when descending.
When encountering slower traffic, announce your presence with a friendly greeting or bell to avoid startling other visitors.
Reduce your potentially intimidating size by stepping to the downhill side of the trail when encountering pack stock.
Ride in small groups to avoid excessive dust and noise.
Racing on recreational trails is dangerous, inconsiderate, and never in style.

The Leave No Trace Seven Principles are reprinted with the permission of the Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics. For more information, visit www.LNT.org.

Get Started

One great new option coming in May 2018: Bike Share!

Downtown Ventures, in partnership with the City of Colorado Springs, announces a bike share system serving Colorado Springs. This public-private partnership will launch its Phase 1 in spring 2018, with a Phase 2 targeted for spring 2020.

Phase 1 service area, projected launch May 2018
Legacy Loop, to include Downtown Colorado Springs; northern area of Penrose St. Francis Hospital, Lincoln Center and Bon Shopping Center, Old North End neighborhood, Colorado College; eastern area of Olympic Training Center, Memorial Park, Memorial Hospital, Hillside and Middle Shooks Run neighborhoods; southern area of Southwest Downtown/Olympic Museum, and Lowell and Mill Street neighborhoods.

208 eight-speed bikes
26 stations, to include 6 solar kiosks
364 docks
75 docks per bike ratio
Four-square-mile coverage area

Phase 2 service area, projected launch 2020: Old Colorado City and near westside, Manitou Springs, Red Rock Canyon, Gold Hill Mesa, Garden of the Gods, Ivywild and The Broadmoor, with addition of e-assist capabilities.

Learn more about the PikeCycle program at the Downtown Partnership Website HERE.