Oshkosh committee reviews council responses: e-bike ordinance, Traeger signal, ATV/UTV referral

Committee members reviewed several recent council responses and next steps on items the Transportation Committee referred.

Staff reported the Common Council voted against installing traffic signals at Traeger Elementary (East Driveway at West 20th) despite multiple studies indicating a need; the city instead plans to widen the driveway and install rectangular rapid‑flashing beacons (RRFB) at the Traeger–Wyandmac crosswalk as a city project funded by bike-and-ped capital funds.

On micromobility, the committee’s recommendation prompted the council to unanimously direct staff to draft an ordinance to prohibit e-bikes on sidewalks abutting buildings. Staff noted state statute currently allows municipalities to regulate e-scooters separately but does not yet give clear authority to separate e-bikes from pedal bicycles; the city manager is preparing a letter to state legislators asking for clearer municipal authority.

Members also reviewed the recent council consideration of allowing ATV/UTV access in parts of the city; the council did not secure the support needed to move that proposal forward. Committee members discussed the process for bringing items back to the committee and agreed to a procedural change that meetings will begin deliberation only after an item receives a motion and second.

Committee chair summarized public-safety reasoning behind a pending recommendation to prohibit parking on a narrow portion of Grama Street, citing a resident video that showed emergency vehicle access compromised by parked cars. The committee adjourned following a roll-call vote.