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CAB debate highlights inconsistent signage, narrow lanes and e-bike safety on Incline Village trails
Summary
Residents, rental operators and CAB members called for clearer signage, speed guidance and coordinated county action after a CAB discussion showed mixed use paths, narrow bike lanes and growing e-bike use are confusing and potentially unsafe for visitors and locals.
Denise Davis, a member of the Incline Village–Crystal Bay Citizens Advisory Board, led a wide-ranging discussion about pedestrian and bicycle safety in the town center, highlighting inconsistent signage and narrow, varying bike-lane widths along State Route 28, Lakeshore Boulevard and other local streets.
"The thing that has always confused me about our bike paths is I just find our signage very confusing," Davis said, showing photos of signs placed near both roadway bike lanes and adjacent paved multiuse paths. She asked the county to pursue low-cost fixes such as arrows on signs, painted legends on pavement (for example, "no bikes" on pedestrian paths) and clearer wayfinding to reduce user confusion.
Rental operators and residents described a mix of users — visitors, families and occasional cyclists — and raised concerns about electric bicycle types. Max Jones of Flume Trail Bikes and Jean of BigBlueBike Rentals (Hyatt) said rental shops provide orientation and safety bells on equipment. "We do go over the bikes and how to use them... we're taking them outside and showing them the bicycles," Jean said. Max and other vendors suggested speed guidance for electric bikes and clearer signage distinguishing class 1 pedal-assist bikes from higher-speed models.
Several residents and CAB members pressed for clearer rules and local enforcement. Rhonda Tyser cited Nevada guidance that allows local governments to restrict e-bike use on specific paths and urged Washoe County and local districts (including IBGID, where relevant) to install definitive signage before summer visitor traffic increases: "Just say that motorbikes and e-bikes are not allowed on those trails."
John Davidson proposed countywide limits such as a 15 mph maximum on all pathways and a 5 mph passing speed, plus a requirement that wheeled conveyances carry a bell or horn. CAB members and staff discussed options for short-term actions (signage and targeted education) and longer-term engineering solutions (lane widening or repurposing curb space). Alexandra Wilson, county staff, said the county will collect the CAB's suggestions and coordinate with planning and roads divisions and with NDOT where State Route 28 is involved.
The CAB also discussed outreach and education tools: rental-shop orientations, short safety videos, pamphlets for renters and visitors, and middle-school bicycle clinics. County staff said a short, produced safety video is feasible but may carry a production cost; the county will explore options and potential partners such as the Lake Tahoe Bike Coalition.
Ending: Members asked staff to compile the discussion into a coordinated list of short-, medium- and long-term recommendations to share with county planning, public-works staff and regional partners ahead of the summer season.
