electric-assist bicycle pilot use on multi-use paths
DESCRIPTION
Electric-assist bicycle pilot use on multi-use paths. City Council Second 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. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
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