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Council hears proposal for e-bike library pilot at Festival Lawn; staff seeks council consensus to proceed
Summary
City staff briefed council on a proposed e-bike mobility hub — a five‑charger station with two rentable bike lockers — to be installed at Festival Lawn through a Smart Commute pilot funded by RTD, CDOT and Adams County Open Space. Council members expressed support and concerns about location and removal terms.
City staff presented a proposal on March 24 for an e-bike "library" — a mobility hub that would provide five EV charger units and two rentable e-bike lockers at Festival Lawn — and asked council for consensus to allow the pilot to proceed.
Amanda Peterson, director of Parks, Recreation and Culture, said the pilot is being coordinated by Smart Commute with funding from the Regional Transportation District, the Colorado Department of Transportation and an Adams County Open Space grant. "The proposed mobility hub includes five charger units as well as two bike lockers," Peterson said, adding the city’s role would be to provide the site and necessary electrical infrastructure. She said Smart Commute is exploring an all‑solar option that could be piloted later in the year.
Council members generally indicated support for piloting a mobility hub but raised questions about the specific Festival Lawn location, which is heavily used for events. Councilmember Kondo asked how redistribution would work if users checked bikes out in Northglenn and returned them in a partner city; Peterson said a third party operator coordinated fleet redistribution and that units could be moved if necessary. Peterson also noted the agreement would allow either party to terminate with 30 days' notice and that the unit can be relocated.
Several council members voiced support for solar power and for providing public bike‑repair and pump facilities; Councilmember Joe O’Neil said he supports option 1, installation as proposed. Councilmember Burns and others cautioned that the Festival Lawn location could conflict with events and the long‑term civic center plan; staff said the unit sits on an existing concrete pad and can be relocated if planning needs change.
Peterson said riders must follow Northglenn’s existing e‑bicycle rules (15 mph speed limit and restricted use near playgrounds and sports fields) and that Smart Commute can electronically limit top speed on the rental bikes. She described pricing options including a per‑day commuter rate and the ability for community riders with references to access some rides free through a group-ride program.
Because the item was a discussion item and not a formal ordinance, council did not take a roll-call vote. Staff sought, and several members gave, informal support to proceed with the pilot subject to monitoring of event impacts and an ability to relocate the unit if needed.
