Biking in the Community
Steamboat Springs is involved in many projects to increase and improve trails, sidewalks, and bike lanes for the safety and enjoyment of bikers and pedestrians.
2A Trails - Accommodations Tax
In November of 2013 the voters of Steamboat Springs approved a portion of the municipal accommodations tax to develop trails. Over the next ten years there will be a $5.1 million dollar investment in the trail infrastructure in Steamboat Springs. There is a committee made up of Steamboat Springs residents prioritizing the expenditures of this investment.
Bicycle Friendly Community
Steamboat Springs is recognized as a GOLD level Bicycle Friendly Community.
"A community recognized by the League as Bicycle Friendly is one that welcomes cyclists with trails, bike lanes, share the road campaigns, organized rides, Bike to Work Day events and so much more. A rich matrix of options that recognizes your area’s unique resources, the BFC application evaluates how your community encourages people to bike for transportation and recreation through the five Es: engineering, education, encouragement, enforcement, and evaluation."
To find out more about what it means to be a Bicycle Friendly Community go the League of American Bicyclists website.
International Mountain Bicycling Association - Silver Level
Steamboat Springs, aka “Bike Town USA,” initially raised its profile by earning a Bronze Ride Center rating and hosting the IMBA World Summit in 2012. With the passing of a tax referendum, an influx of funding came available to finance a singletrack transformation and the city has run with it. Most rides begin and end in town and feature long climbs, big views, “rugged flow” and incredible fall color. Those seeking gravity will find it at the lift-serviced Steamboat Resort Bike Park. All-day adventures are easy to come by on adjacent Forest Service trails, while family members can relax at local hot springs, pedal paved bike paths or explore the charming shops and restaurants of downtown.
"New trails, such as Buffalo Pass's 11.3-mile meandering Flash of Gold, advanced BTR and Grouse, and family-friendly Lunch Loops have been a key area of focus for Steamboat. We're thrilled to have external validation from IMBA that our community efforts have been recognized,” said Amy Charity, Executive Director of Steamboat Bike Town USA®.
The Ride Centers™ designation recognizes the pinnacle of mountain biking communities. These are large-scale facilities with something for every rider, from a variety of riding experiences to a variety of ways to have fun off the bike. Below, we have featured the newest Ride Center additions and ranking upgrades.
Safe Routes to School programs are sustained efforts by parents, schools, community leaders and local, state, and federal governments to improve the health and well-being of children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school. In Steamboat Springs, a dedicated group of individuals, along with the generous efforts of the local graphic design team at Creative Bearings, have come together to identify and create a map identifying recommended paths to travel to and from school to various locations within the community. The map is periodically updated based on trail and sidewalk improvements. See the Safe Routes website and MAP.
Share the Road Campaign
The City of Steamboat Springs in conjunction with Routt County and Livewell Northwest Colorado is committed to educating residents and visitors about shared responsibility for safety on local roads, sidewalks and trails. Recognizing that it is an ever present job to promote road safety rules and tips, these organizations have developed educational and marketing materials for distribution throughout the community. Via a proactive outreach effort, all roadway users are reminded to keep an eye out for those on, in, or around the roadway regardless of mode of travel.
Check out this video on "Right Turns and Bike Lanes"
Sidewalk and Trails Master Plan
The City of Steamboat Springs is in the process of updating the Sidewalk and Trails Master plan. City staff is currently gathering data and updating existing maps prior to a public outreach process that will occur later in 2014. See the current adopted Sidewalks and Trails Master Plan from 2006.
For more information on trails, biking, and other local organizations go to Steamboat Bike Town USA.