electric-assist bicycle pilot use on multi-use paths

Electric-assist bicycle pilot use on multi-use paths

City CouncilSecond reading and Public Hearing October 29, 2013

What is an e-bike?> A bicycle with an

integrated motor.> Helps propel a rider

up to a 20 mph limit.> 250 ~ 1,000 Watt

motor capacity

In the City of Boulder E-bikes are currently…Allowed> In on-street bicycle

lanes  > On roadways

Prohibited> On any multi-use paths• Hard-surface• Soft-surface (crusher fine)

> On any single track trails> On any sidewalk

• Bicycle Mode Share of more than 15% • Bicycle Friendly Community in support

of our modal goals• Attract interested but concerned

cyclists• Increase trips by older adults, women

and families with children

TMP objectives for biking

Living Laboratory E-bike Pilot Project

> Consider amendment to the definition of an e-bike

> Test the use of e-bikes on multi-use paths as part of the TMP update Living Laboratory

> Would not include sidewalks and OSMP trails

Proposed Ordinance> Excludes e-bikes from

definition of a motor vehicle> New section 7-5-26 • Enable City manager

rulemaking authority> Establishes a sunset date

of Dec. 31, 2014

Staff recommendationOption 2> Adopt Colorado State Law Definition> Test e-bike use on multi-use paths > E-bike use on the following would continue

to be prohibited:• OSMP trails, including those that

currently allow bikes • Sidewalks, except those designated as

multi-use paths> TAB supports definition and pilot project

Key Findings from Public InputSupport testing E-BikeAgainst testing E-Bike

• Helps aging generations stay active and healthy

• Makes longer distance commutes viable by bike

• Economic & Less Polluting alternative to automobiles

• Paths are too congested

• Speed and safety

• Behavior and Enforcement

• Separation between Pedestrians and Bicyclists• Support amending definition of e-bike

Encouragement

The Five Es Engineering. Evaluation. Enforcement. Encouragement. Education

Education

The Five Es Engineering. Evaluation. Enforcement. Encouragement. Education

Engineering Enforcement Targeted effort to enforce safe behavior of users> Speeding> Other motorized vehicle

users on the path> Other safety concerns

Living Laboratory Evaluation methods for e-bike pilot• Modal traffic volume, vehicle speeds, and

collision experience• Field observations • Intercept surveys• Bike and Walk Audits / Focus Groups• Community Feedback Panel / Inspire Boulder

The Five Es Engineering. Evaluation. Enforcement. Encouragement. Education

Success Lies at the Intersection

World Class Bicycle City

Engineering

Encouragement

Enforcement

Education

Evaluation

Council consideration• Does Council support the proposed ordinance

authorizing the pilot project?• Definition to conform with state law• Excludes e-bike from definition of a motor vehicle• Enacts rulemaking authority to allow/restrict

which paths to include in the pilot project• Sunsets Dec. 31, 2014

ADDITIONAL SLIDES IF NEEDED FOLLOW…

Paved Paths On OSMP Land

Option 3> Same as Option 2 but, also prohibits e-

bikes on:• The Boulder Creek Path between Eben

G. Fine Park and Scott Carpenter Park

Options for Regulating E-bikes

Public Input to date Overview

Public Forums

Inspire BoulderE-Bike Online Survey Email/PhonePublic meetings

Over 250 comments expressing an opinion

About 40% are against testing E-bikes on Multi-use paths

About 55% are supportive of testing E-bikes on Multi-use paths

About 5% are undecided

Council consideration• What is the Council recommendation on the

proposed ordinance authorizing the pilot project?• Definition to conform with state law• Enacts rulemaking authority to allow/restrict which paths to include in

the pilot project• Sunsets Dec. 31, 2014

• Does Council support the staff recommendation (Option 2) to test e-bike use of multi-use paths?• Option 1: No change (e-bikes on street/bike lanes only)• Option 2: Allow on multi-use paths except OSMP trails and sidewalks• Option 3: same as Option 2 with Boulder Creek Path prohibited

between Eben Fine Park and Scott Carpenter Park

> "Electric assisted bicycle" means a bicycle with a battery powered electric motor with a capacity of no more than four hundred watts continuous input power rating which assists the person pedaling and which is not capable of propelling the bicycle and rider at more than twenty miles per hour on level pavement.

Colorado State Law* CRS 42-1-102 (28.5)"Electrical assisted bicycle" means a vehicle having two tandem wheels or two parallel wheels and one forward wheel, fully operable pedals, an electric motor not exceeding seven hundred fifty watts of power, and a top motor-powered speed of twenty miles per hour.* Denver and Fort Collins use this definition

Option 1: Option 2:

No change to City of Boulder definition

Adopt Colorado State Law Definition

Options for Regulating E-bikes

Option 1No change> No Demonstration Project> E-bike use remains limited to streets and in

designated bike lanes

Options for Regulating E-bikes

Option 2> Test e-bike use on multi-use paths > Sunset Dec.31, 2014. > E-bike use on the following would continue

to be prohibited:• OSMP trails, including those that

currently allow bikes • Sidewalks, except those designated as

multi-use paths

Options for Regulating E-bikes