Summit County may OK limited motorized recpath use
By CADDIE NATH, SUMMIT DAILY NEWS
BRECKENRIDGE — A recent ruling from the Department of Justice may force local officials to confront the looming question of whether to allow motorized vehicles on Summit County recpaths sooner rather than later.
The ruling requires localities to allow people with disabilities to use wheelchairs and “manually powered mobility aids” in public pedestrian areas and to change local rules to allow power-driven mobility devices by people with disabilities.
The ruling re-launched recent conversations on the use and safety of electric or motor powered vehicles on county recpaths.
“This was definitely an “oh, my god,” when it came across our desk,” Summit County open space and trails director Brian Lorch said.
County officials expressed concern that the new federal policy does not identify acceptable mobility aids and could therefore be extended to include electrically assisted bicycles or even larger motorized vehicles such as motorcycles.
County commissioners also noted the language of the measure is somewhat vague on what a disability is, potentially leaving room for people to take advantage of the policy.
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