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Residents urge clearer trail crossings and limits on throttle e-bikes; city launches zoning survey
Summary
During public comment, a resident asked the commission to permit Class 1 pedal‑assist e-bikes on trails but restrict throttle-equipped Class 2/3 models and to add advance warning markings at trail crossings; commissioners also announced a zoning-code survey open through July 15 and discussed outreach challenges.
Public comment at the Lewistown meeting included safety requests for trail users and questions about outreach for the city’s zoning survey.
Michelle Rainey, speaking from 168 Castle Ridge Drive, told commissioners she supports pedal-assist (Class 1) e-bikes on trails where bicycles are allowed but urged restrictions on throttle-equipped bikes (Class 2 and Class 3) because they can travel too fast and create hazards for pedestrians and children. She suggested simple measures such as advance warning markings or painted stripes where trails cross streets and clearer signage on trail curves to slow riders.
“...if you just have a pedal assist, you can actually ride on trails where bicycles are allowed,” Rainey said, adding that throttle-equipped bikes can go too fast past crossings and that riders should use bells and slow when approaching others.
City Manager Holly Phelps announced a zoning-code/survey outreach effort: a short, roughly 10-question survey is live on the city website and planning department pages and will remain open until July 15. Phelps said the planning contractors emailed previous participants and the city posted notices on Facebook; commissioners and residents discussed past outreach efforts and low turnout at some public meetings, urging broader distribution to reach more community members.
What comes next: the city will continue promoting the zoning survey through its website, Facebook and a planned paper story; commissioners suggested exploring broader outreach to increase participation.
