Sammamish adopts bike and pedestrian mobility plan with policy clarifications on e‑scooters and class‑3 e‑bikes

The Sammamish City Council adopted the final Bike and Pedestrian Mobility Plan by resolution at its Nov. 18 meeting after staff presented proposed clarifying modifications.

Public Works staff (Audrey Starcey and Andres Billiotis) described core components of the plan: facility typologies for pedestrian and bicyclist comfort, a project‑scoring framework, a candidate list of bike and pedestrian projects for incorporation into future transportation and CIP work plans, and policy guidance on micromobility. Staff proposed four modifications incorporated into the final plan: correcting map limits (ending the Holly Way corridor at the northern city limit), separating tables into existing vs recommended facility conditions for clarity, adding language on future performance metrics to be developed during the Transportation Master Plan update, and clarifying coordination with the PROS plan on park trail connections.

Two items drew particular attention: the plan includes policy language to allow e‑scooters on sidewalks in designated locations and to allow class‑3 e‑bikes to use bike facilities subject to a 15 mph speed limitation. Supporters said the plan fills a long‑standing gap in multimodal planning and will help connect schools, parks and shopping centers; one council member voiced concern that a few critical connections were still unresolved and urged an iterative improvement approach. Council adopted the plan by voice vote; the record shows one 'nay.'

Staff will integrate plan projects into the city's transportation master plan update and the CIP process and will return with proposed performance metrics next year.