Colorado Springs’ controversial e-bikes ordinance proposal is discussed with longtime trail advocates Kent and Ruth Obee. The proposal would define Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, powered by an electric motor, as "non-motorized use,” in order to “comply with” or “circumvent” (depending on your point of view) the voter-approved TOPS (Trails, Open Space and Parks) prohibition of motorized vehicles in TOPS-acquired spaces. The proposal was recently approved by the Parks Advisory Board, and is expected to be considered by Colorado Springs City Council in December. It was rejected in a November 6 TOPS Working Committee meeting. E-bikes are currently not allowed on trails in parks and open spaces procured by the TOPS program.
For over 25 years, Kent and Ruth Obee have served on boards and volunteered their time for numerous park and open space projects and agencies, including TOPS.
MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
Mayor Yemi Mobolade
Medicine Wheel Trail Advocates
Steve Harris
Palmer Land Conservancy
Colorado Springs Utilities Budget and rate increases
Closure of the Rockrimmon branch of the library
Downtown safety, recreation and parking enhancements
Downtown Colorado Springs
State Representative Marc Snyder
U.S. House Candidates River Gassen and Jeff Crank
GrowthBusters documentary
LINKS:
City of Colorado Springs Ebike Policy Info
https://coloradosprings.gov/Ebikes
Colorado Springs E-Bike Policy Gains Narrow Vote of Approval
https://gazette.com/news/colorado-springs-e-bike-policy-gains-narrow-vote-of-approval/article_f0309bea-a2d8-11ef-8dc9-9feaa04a5a3b.html
What Is TOPS?
https://coloradosprings.gov/parks/page/what-tops
Colorado Springs Residents Call on City to Help Pay Rockrimmon Library Lease Before It Closes
https://krdo.com/news/2024/11/12/colorado-springs-residents-call-upon-city-to-help-pay-rockrimmon-library-lease-before-it-closes/
NEW City Parking and Curb Management Plan Survey
https://coloradosprings.gov/2024ParkingPlan
2025 Art on the Streets Call for Entries Now Open – Feb 12 deadline
https://downtowncs.com/art-on-the-streets-call-for-entries
GrowthBusters: Hooked on Growth (documentary produced by Dave Gardner)
https://youtu.be/_w0LiBsVFBo
EVENTS:
Ice skating in Acacia Park – opened November 15
https://downtowncs.com/event/skate
RMFI's Annual ShinDIG – fundraiser (Rocky Mtn Field Institute)
Thursday, November 21, 6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Meanwhile Block, downtown
https://www.rmfi.org/shindig
November 29 - December 22, 2024: Sense & Sensibility
Ent Center for the Arts at UCCS
https://entcenterforthearts.org/events/sense-and-sensibility
SUNDANCE SHORTS TOUR and SUNDANCE INDIGENOUS FILM TOUR:
Friday Dec 6t and Saturday Dec 7
Independent Film Society of Colorado
Cottonwood Center for the Arts
Tickets, film guide and more info: https://ifsoc-sundance.eventive.org
Loving the Springs celebrates the best of Colorado Springs and elevates the rest.
Plug into what’s happening in the Pikes Peak region, learn about awesome people, places and happenings, and explore opportunities to make life here even better. Local gadflies Al Brody and Dave Gardner love our two springs – Colorado and Manitou, so they give them the mic in this twice-monthly podcast. Nothing’s off the table – recreation, the arts, government, business, politics – if it touches your life, they'll talk about it. We’ll invite the movers and shakers, conspiracy theorists, NIMBYs, YIMBYs, yaysayers and naysayers to join them.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and give us feedback and suggestions via comments at https://studio809podcasts.com/loving-the-springs or lovingthespringspodcast at gmail.com
