Question about railroad tracks in Boulder (Denver, Brighton: houses, maintenance, dangerous)

[billeethakid]

I have no way of figuring this out other than just asking...

Can I ride my dual sport dirtbike parallel to the railroad tracks in Boulder. I drive past them all the time and they have plenty of room on the sides to ride a dirtbike. Is this legal?

If so, I could all the way out through Erie into Brighton which would be killer.

[billeethakid]

Nobody knows? Any Police officers here that would know?

[billeethakid]

C'mon people

[darjoh]

I would guess, no, it's not legal. The "road" you are describing is probably some sort of service road for the railway, which would be maybe considered private property?

I don't know. Call the police station that is in the area and ask. Talk to a traffic officer on the road. Just go and start doing it until someone tells you to stop....

[billeethakid]

Originally Posted by darjoh

I would guess, no, it's not legal. The "road" you are describing is probably some sort of service road for the railway, which would be maybe considered private property?

I don't know. Call the police station that is in the area and ask. Talk to a traffic officer on the road. Just go and start doing it until someone tells you to stop....

Good idea! The "road" is more just like land next to the tracks that is not taken up by tress and houses, its just red pea stones.

Thanks for the reply though, no one else likes the idea I guess?

[bkelch]

I found this on the net, it may help you.

In the United States, railroad rights-of-way are considered private property by the respective railroad owners and by applicable state laws. Most U.S. railroads employ their own police forces, who can arrest and prosecute trespassers found on their rights-of-way.

[billeethakid]

Originally Posted by bkelch

I found this on the net, it may help you.

In the United States, railroad rights-of-way are considered private property by the respective railroad owners and by applicable state laws. Most U.S. railroads employ their own police forces, who can arrest and prosecute trespassers found on their rights-of-way.

Awesome, I'll have to ask them : )

We used to ride on the powerlines when we were kids back east and they were "technically private property", but noone was ever ticketed or caught..

[jazzlover]

Railroad rights of way are indeed considered private property--even those owned by public entities such as transit districts. The "roads" often found next to them are generally for use by railroad maintenance of way personnel only. Walking or riding on a railroad right-of-way is trespassing and illegal--most of all, it is very dangerous. You can learn more about all of that here:

Operation Lifesaver

You can also read information on the railroad police here:

Railroad police - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Both the Union Pacific and BNSF railroads have Special Agents in the Denver metro area.

Union Pacific Police Department - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
BNSF Police Department - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia