Bike & Ped committee urges education, signage and speed advisories for e‑bikes on shared paths

The Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee presented recommendations to the council after hearing community complaints about high‑powered electric bicycles and mopeds on shared‑use paths.

Committee member Bob Britt summarized background research and legal definitions, and Timor Tutsouk laid out three categories of action: education and signage, updating city ordinances to adopt the state e‑bike definition (class 1/2/3, ≤750 watts), and implementing speed advisories rather than enforceable limits. "We recommend that the council consider speed advisories of 15 miles per hour for our widest paths of 8 to 12 feet and 10 miles per hour for sidewalks and legacy paths that are 8 feet and under," Tutsouk said. The committee stressed signs and school‑based education and asked staff to coordinate sample signage and a budget for consideration.

Councilors and residents raised enforcement questions, the applicability of state age restrictions for class‑3 bikes, and whether sidewalks should be excluded from e‑bike use. Several residents described safety incidents and asked for clearer sight‑line and passing guidance. Council directed staff to work with the committee on a signage/education plan, to consult the city attorney and police on statutory interpretation and enforcement, and to return with a project plan and budget for consideration in the FY27 process.