The Rifle Police Department will increase enforcement of bicycle, e-bike, e-moto and scooter violations in the coming weeks after officers observed a growing number of unsafe riding behaviors throughout the community.

Police said officers have become increasingly concerned about children riding e-bikes, e-motos, bicycles and scooters without helmets and without following traffic laws. Common violations include weaving through traffic, ignoring stop signs, riding against traffic, riding on sidewalks where prohibited and crossing busy intersections without slowing down.

“These aren’t just traffic violations, they’re behaviors that can have life-changing consequences,” Rifle Police Department Public Information Officer Angela Mills said in a news release. “Our goal is not to take away anyone’s fun. Our goal is to make sure every child makes it home safely.”

Officers will focus on violations involving bicycles, e-bikes, e-motos, electric scooters and other motorized vehicles, including riders under 16 operating Class 3 e-bikes, riders under 18 operating Class 3 e-bikes or electric scooters without helmets, riders under 16 operating electric scooters and Class 3 e-bikes being ridden on pedestrian paths where they are prohibited.

Police will also enforce traffic violations, including riding against traffic and failing to obey stop signs and traffic signals, as well as riders failing to yield to pedestrians or exceeding 6 mph when passing pedestrians on sidewalks while operating an electric scooter.

“Our priority is safety,” Mills said in the release. “We’ll continue educating riders and families, but officers will also be taking enforcement action when violations are observed.”

Under Colorado law, electric scooters that travel under 20 mph may be operated on public roads, bike lanes and multiuse paths where bicycles are allowed. Sidewalk riding is generally allowed, but riders must yield to pedestrians and slow to 6 mph when passing. Riders must be at least 16 years old, and anyone under 18 must wear a helmet. A driver’s license, registration and insurance are not required for electric scooters.

Gas scooters and mopeds with engines up to 50cc must be registered with the Colorado Department of Motor Vehicles and operated by a rider with a valid driver’s license and insurance. Scooters with engines larger than 50cc are classified as motorcycles and require a motorcycle endorsement, registration and insurance.

Police also emphasized the difference between e-bikes and e-motos. E-bikes are designed to function like traditional bicycles with electric assistance and must have fully operable pedals. Colorado law classifies e-bikes into three categories: Class 1, which provides pedal assist up to 20 mph; Class 2, which uses a throttle or pedal assist up to 20 mph; and Class 3, which provides pedal assist up to 28 mph.

Class 3 e-bike riders must be at least 16 years old, and anyone under 18 riding a Class 3 e-bike must wear a helmet.

E-motos, including electric motorcycles and dirt bikes, are powered primarily by a motor and are not classified as e-bikes under Colorado law. Although some resemble bicycles, they are generally not allowed on bike paths, sidewalks or trails unless specifically authorized. Many e-motos require registration, licensing and insurance when operated on public roads.

Vehicles such as Sur-Ron, Talaria, E Ride Pro and similar electric dirt bikes are not considered e-bikes, according to the Rifle Police Department.

More information about Colorado’s e-bike laws and the differences between e-bikes and e-motos is available at rifleco.org/1098/E-bikes-E-motos.