Chaska officials plan crossings and education to address e-bike and trail safety

City staff and council members on June 16 discussed steps to reduce conflicts among trail users, drivers and people on electric bikes, and said the city will install pedestrian-activated flashing lights at several trail crossings this summer and continue educational outreach.

Staff described two immediate crossing projects that will receive pedestrian-activated blinking lights this summer: the entrance to the high school at Purple Brick Road and crossings near Friendship Park and Community Park. Staff said Bavaria Road repaving next summer will include two upgraded pedestrian crossings near Viveri Hills and Nickel Creek. “We are going to be putting the pedestrian activated blinking lights at those. We'll do that this summer,” the city manager said.

On e-bike use and enforcement, staff said many cities are seeing similar issues and the city plans an educational campaign modeled on efforts in Shakopee and Edina. Staff noted it can be difficult to enforce trail-speed restrictions and cautioned against immediately adopting an ordinance the city cannot reliably enforce. “I think if we are... we should take it one step at a time and maybe start with the educational pieces and see what happens,” the city manager said.

Council members and staff also reminded residents that state rules limit some uses by age; one council member said to parents, “If you have, an e bike and you are letting your kids under the age of 15 use it, please stop.” Staff said they are researching enforcement options and will return with recommendations on restrictions, signage and enforcement approaches.

Next steps: staff will install the pedestrian-activated lights this summer, include crossings in next summer’s repaving work, produce educational materials for trail users, and research legally enforceable restrictions and possible enforcement methods before proposing ordinance changes.