1 | Proposed City Code Revisions - Electric Bikes and Electric Scooters | ||||||
Sustainability Manager Nicole Antonopoulos provided a PowerPoint presentation that covered the following:
CITY CODE REVISIONS ELECTRIC BIKES AND ELECTRIC SCOOTERS DISCUSSION WHY PROPOSE REVISIONS? Multimodal Transportation Planner Martin Ince continued the presentation. ARIZONA LEGISLATION – ELECTRIC BICYCLES CLASS 1 AND 2 CLASS 3 ARIZONA LEGISLATION – ELECTRIC SCOOTERS EXISTING CITY CODE WHERE SHOULD ELECTRIC BIKES AND ELECTRIC SCOOTERS BE ALLOWED IN FLAGSTAFF?
COMMUNITY INPUTGENERAL THEMES HIGHLIGHTS OF PROPOSED CODE REVISIONS Ms. Antonopoulos concluded the presentation with next steps. Vice Mayor Shimoni indicated that he is comfortable moving forward with the recommendations and feels that Class 1 and 2 e-bikes can be permitted on paved and unpaved FUTS trails. Councilmember Aslan agreed stating that there has been so much investment in connecting Flagstaff through the FUTS system that e-bikes should be able to be used on them with consideration to safety and speed limits. Councilmember Odegaard asked if bikes are permitted on sidewalks. Mr. Ince stated that current City Code allows bikes on sidewalks unless posted by signs. Signs are posted in downtown and on San Francisco and Beaver on the southside. Councilmember Odegaard stated that he prefers the recommendation from the survey results. He expressed concern about those who use the FUTS for walking and hiking being at risk with e-bikes on the trails. Councilmember Whelan stated that bike lanes need to be improved before more people are thrown into the cycling mix. Bike lanes need to be well marked and in some areas widened. She asked about the liability if someone gets hurt using one of the bikes. Ms. Antonopoulos indicated that the bike share company will be required to have full liability insurance. Councilmember McCarthy noted that the survey comments seem to be very polarized with some people using the FUTS trails to avoid motorized areas and others saying not to limit them because that is what is used to commute. He does not believe that scooters should be allowed on the FUTS trails. He also believes that there should be a speed limit placed on the FUTS trails because there are many people who walk the trails. He would also like to see a rule that prohibits texting or using a phone while operating e-bikes. He is willing to accept Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on FUTS trails but with reservation. Mayor Evans stated that she does not think that the survey population of 200 was an accurate representation of the community. She does not believe that any electric bikes should be permitted on FUTS trails. She added that there is a lack of enforcement of bicycle rules and it makes it very dangerous for cars and people. Councilmember Salas echoed the Mayor’s comments and added that there needs to be stronger enforcement on helmets, reflectors, and lights. She does not believe that bikes or scooters should be permitted on sidewalks. She has concerns with allowing e-bikes and scooters on FUTS trails citing the number of people walking, some with strollers and pets which may create conflicts if these types of bikes are added into the mix. Vice Mayor Shimoni asked if there are laws in place for biking under the influence. Senior Assistant Attorney Christina Parry stated that staff is presenting to a number of commissions for additional discussion and further research is being conducted on the matter. A written comment card in support of e-bikes on FUTS trails was submitted by David Spence. A written comment card in opposition of e-bikes on FUTS trails was submitted by WM. Michael Wilson. Councilmember Whelan again asked about the legalities associated with the conditions of bike lanes and trails in the city. |
|||||||
Moved by Councilmember Jamie Whelan, seconded by Mayor Coral Evans to recess into Executive Session for legal advice. | |||||||
Vote: 7 - 0 - Unanimously | |||||||
The Council recessed into Executive Session at 9:05 p.m. and reconvened into Regular Session at 9:27 p.m. Council agreed that additional information is needed and asked staff to come back and present at a later meeting. |
|||||||