HomeMy WebLinkAbout045 - 04/16/2019 - ENACTING A TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS IN CHAPTER 23 OF THE CITY CODE TO ALLOW ELEORDINANCE NO. 045, 2019
OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
ENACTING A TEMPORARY EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN RESTRICTIONS
IN CHAPTER 23 OF THE CODE OF THE CITY OF FORT COLLINS
TO ALLOW ELECTRICAL ASSISTED BICYCLES ON PAVED TRAILS
IN CITY NATURAL AREA AND RECREATION AREAS
WHEREAS,the City currently prohibits electrical assisted bicycles, as that term is defined
in the Fort Collins Traffic Code, from operating on Natural Areas and Recreation trails within the
City; and
WHEREAS, pursuant to extensive staff outreach, there is public interest in allowing the
use of electrical assisted bicycles on Natural Areas and Recreation trails; and
WHEREAS, the City needs to balance the use of electrical assisted bicycles on Natural
Areas and Recreation trails with current use of such trails by bicycles and pedestrians, as well as
maintain the City's interest in conservation and stewardship of its natural areas and recreation
spaces; and
WHEREAS,in order to balance these interests, City Council desires to implement a one-
year pilot period to allow Class I and Class 2 electrical assisted bicycles on paved Natural Areas
and Recreation trails within the City to collect public input and data on such use; and
WHEREAS, after the one-year period, City Council will review public input, as well as
any collected data to understand impacts to trail user experience and safety, changes to bicycle
utilization on trails and other relevant findings to determine whether electrical assisted bicycles
should continue to be allowed on paved Natural Areas and.Recreation trails,or to otherwise impose
additional rules and regulations to ensure safe and efficient use of the City's trail systems.
NOW,THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF FORT
COLLINS as follows'.
Section 1. That the City Council hereby makes and. adopts the determinations and
findings contained in the recitals set forth above.
Section 2. That for the purposes of this Ordinance, the term "electrical assisted
bicycle" shall be defined as follows:
Electrical assisted bicycle. A vehicle having two (2) or three (3) wheels fully operable
pedals; and an electric motor not exceeding seven hundred fifty (750) watts of power.
Electrical assisted bicycles are further required to conform to one (1) of three (3) classes
as follows:
Class 1 electrical assisted bicycle" means an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a
motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide
assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty(20) miles per hour.
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Class 2 electrical assisted bicycle" means an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a
motor that provides assistance regardless of whether the rider is pedaling but ceases to
provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty(20) miles per hour.
Class 3 electrical assisted bicycle" means an electrical assisted bicycle equipped with a
motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide
assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty-eight (28) miles per hour.
The term "electrical assisted bicycles' shall include class 1, 2 and 3, unless otherwise
specified.
Section 3. That from the effective date of this Ordinance through the end of April
2020,as a temporary exception to the limitation on the use of electrical assisted bicycles in City
Code Section 23-193(d)(l8), Class 1 and Class 2 electrical assisted bicycles hereby are allowed
on paved designated trails only in natural area. Class 3 electrical assisted bicycles are not allowed
on any trail in any natural area.
Section 4. That from the effective date of this Ordinance through the end of April
2020, as a temporary exception to the limitation on the use of electrical assisted bicycles in City
Code Section 23-203(a)(1), Class 1 and Class 2 electrical assisted bicycles hereby are allowed on
paved designated trails only in recreation area. Class 3 electrical assisted bicycles are not allowed
on any trail in any recreation area:
Section 5. This Ordinance will go into effect on May 1, 2019, and the temporary
exception authorized hereunder shall end at the end of April 30, 2020.
Introduced, considered favorably on first reading, and ordered published this l9th day of
March, A.D. 2019, and to be presented for final passage on the lbth day of April,A.D. 2019.
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Passed and adopted on final reading on the 16th day of April, A.D.. 2019.
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