HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Mail Packet - 11/13/2018 - Memorandum From Tessa Greegor Re: Lpt Follow Up From October 22, 2018 - E-Bikes On Paved TrailsFC Moves
281 North College Avenue
P.O. Box 580
Fort Collins, CO 80522.0580
970.224.6058
970.224.6057 - fax
fcgov.com/fcmoves
Planning, Development & Transportation
MEMORANDUM
DATE: November 2, 2018
TO: Mayor Troxell and City Councilmembers
THRU: Darin Atteberry, City Manager
Jeff Mihelich, Deputy City Manager
Laurie Kadrich, Director of Planning, Development & Transportation
Paul Sizemore, Senior Manager – FC Moves
FROM: Tessa Greegor, Manager – FC Bikes
RE: 10-22-18 LPT Follow-up –E-Bikes on Paved Trails
This memorandum is in response to the following LPT comments from 10-22-18:
Noted conversations are occurring around electric bikes and whether they should be allowed on
City trails. Staff is asked to provide a one-page update on this topic.
• This item is scheduled for a City Council Work Session on February 12, 2019.
Background:
• In 2010-2011, City Council engaged in discussions around e-bikes that led to the adoption
of the current regulations in Fort Collins, which allow use of e-bikes in City recreation areas,
including on trails, only by those with temporary or permanent disabilities.
• In 2017, Colorado House Bill 17-1151, “Concerning the Regulation of Electric-assist
Bicycles,” was passed into law; this law establishes three classes of e-bikes and further
allows the operation of Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes on bike or pedestrian paths unless local
authorities restrict such use (which is currently the case in Fort Collins).
• In 2017 and 2018, the City’s Bicycle Advisory Committee (BAC) researched the topic of
allowing e-bikes on Fort Collins’ paved trail system and consulted with applicable Boards
and Commissions.
• In April 2018, the BAC submitted a recommendation to the Transportation Board supporting
a pilot program to allow and evaluate the use of Class 1 and Class 2 electric-assist bicycles
on Fort Collins paved trails. The BAC further recommended staff determine the parameters
of the pilot study. Subsequently, the Transportation Board reviewed the BAC
recommendation and voted in favor of having City Staff develop a recommended structure
for an e-bike pilot program for their consideration.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 76B97A82-93F8-4063-91F6-FAFBC19296FC
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• Staff from FC Moves, Natural Areas, Parks, Park Planning & Development developed a
preliminary outline for this potential pilot program.
• FC Bikes presented the e-bike pilot program outline to the following Boards & Commissions
for their consideration and action.
o Bicycle Advisory Committee (unanimous in support), March 2018
o Transportation Board (support 7-1), August 2018
o Commission on Disability (discussed concerns and questions, however no official
position was taken), September 2018
o Natural Resources Advisory Board (unanimous in support), October 2018
o Land Conservation & Stewardship Board (6-1, in support of a modified version of the
proposed pilot, recommending Class 1 e-bikes only (not Class 2) and including
specific criteria for the evaluation), October 2018
Recommended Pilot Program Structure:
The components of the pilot program as presented to the above Boards & Commissions
includes the following core elements.
• Duration: One year including a 9-month evaluation period
• Geographic Scope: All Fort Collins Paved Trails
• Categories of E-bikes: Class 1 and Class 2 (both provide electric assist up to 20 miles
per hour)
• Education: Extensive education is proposed to build awareness of the pilot program and
how to provide feedback and promote trail etiquette and safety. A variety of educational
strategies are proposed, including pop-up education events on the trails, signage, social
media, and distribution of educational materials.
• Evaluation: Extensive data to be collected to assess perceptions and impacts
associated with allowing Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes on paved trails to provide
information for policy makers to determine whether to continue the pilot, expire, or
permanently allow e-bikes on paved trails. Data pertaining to speed, noise, use, user
conflicts, observations and perceptions will be collected.
Next Steps:
• Scheduled presentations to the following Boards:
o Senior Advisory Board (November 2018)
o Parks and Recreation Board (December 2018)
o Air Quality Advisory Board (December 2018)
• Continue to refine the details of the pilot program, including necessary code updates,
evaluation methods, education and outreach strategies, with FC Moves, Parks, Park
Planning & Development, and Natural Areas.
• Council Work Session, February 12: The purpose of this Work Session will be to
discuss the possible pilot program, provide a summary of related input from Boards &
Commissions, and seek Council direction on next steps.
For additional information, please contact Tessa Greegor at tgreegor@fcgov.com.
DocuSign Envelope ID: 76B97A82-93F8-4063-91F6-FAFBC19296FC