7A - Electric-assisted Bicycle Ordinance
WEEKLY INFORMATION PACKET
To: Mayor Will Toor and Members of City Council
From: Ron Secrist, City Manager
Christine Andersen, Deputy City Manager for Environmental Services
Tracy Winfree, Acting Director of Public Works for Transportation
Michael Sweeney, Traffic Operations and Planning Coordinator
Mami Ratzel, Transportation Planner
Date: February 14, 2002
Subject: Information Item: Electric-assisted bicycle ordinance
PURPOSE:
This memorandum presents a status on amending the Boulder Revised Code to permit the use of
electric-assisted, pedal-powered bicycles (herein referred to as "electric-assisted bicycles") on off-
street bicycle facilities.
BACKGROUND:
In July 1999, the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) originally considered a recommendation
proposed by staff to proceed with an ordinance revision that would allow the use of electric-assisted
bicycles on both on-street and off-street bicycle facilities in the city of Boulder. The TAB held public
hearings and discussed the proposed ordinance at its meetings convened in July, August and
September 1999. During the TAB public hearings, there were several speakers who supported
allowing electric-assisted bicycles on both off- and on-street facilities. However, some citizens and
TAB members raised concerns over the various users on the multi-use paths and possible safety issues
arising from allowing the electric-assisted bicycles on the paths. At the September 1999 meeting, the
Board voted (5-0) to recommend allowing the use of electric-assisted bicycles on the on-street
facilities (bike lanes) and to review in one year the use of electric-assisted bicycles on multi-use paths.
This summer, the Transportation Advisory Board (TAB) requested staff review and recommendation
of the existing ordinance adopted in 1999. To date, staff has presented information about the electric-
assisted bicycles and participated in a public hearing process hosted by two of the three affected
Advisory Boards appointed by City Council. These are the Transportation Advisory Board and Parks
and Recreation Board. The Open Space Board of Trustees has not yet taken up the issue.
On Monday October 8, 2001, the Transportation Advisory Board approved a motion 4-1 in favor of
the recommendation to amend the code and suggested that, should City Council approve a code
amendment, the ordinance should be revisited in one-year to assess its impacts and address adverse
impacts, as necessary.
On Monday, January 29, 2002, the Parks and Recreation Advisory Board voted unanimously against
recommending a change in the code, with the exception that a strategy to accommodate persons with
disabilities should be recognized. Primarily, the Board felt that current congestion on the paths was
not conducive to adding another use. Some Board members raised the issue of whether to consider
prohibiting electric-assisted bicycles from only those path segments that are more congested.
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However, additional discussion resolved that there is a need to review existing data and collect
supplemental data to assess the feasibility / desirability of considering an amendment to allow
electric-assisted bicycles to operate on any of the paths. Data requested includes path use, crash /
conflict experience, and variations in surface treatment types and path widths.
Though yet to schedule the topic on its meeting agenda, the Open Space Board of Trustees as well as
Open Space staff have expressed concern for the impact that the proposed ordinance amendment, as
approved by TAB, would impose on trails under the jurisdiction of Open Space. Issues raised to date
include ordinance language, applicability, enforcement and vehicle classification as well as whether
to consider prohibiting electric-assisted bicycles from operating on soft surface paths.
PUBLIC INPUT
Transportation staff has received written correspondence from over 40 citizens. Letters in support
are almost matched by those in opposition to amending the code. Similarly, public testimonies given
at public hearings have exhibited conflicting opinions among the public, with more citizens
testifying in opposition to the code amendment. Those in opposition expressed that electric-assisted
bicycles would adversely impact the quality of life on Boulder's multi-use trails and increase
conflicts and congestion along the system. Those in support indicated the need to encourage
alternative modes of transportation and increase accessibility for all including the less able-bodied
population.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
In response to the Parks and Recreation Board's concerns, staff recommends that the ordinance
revision be placed on hold until issues related to congestion and existing conflicts on the paths are
addressed. Staff proposes to launch an educational outreach campaign to encourage responsible trail
usage on paths that already receive heavy pedestrian and bicycle traffic. "Courtesy is Contagious" is
a potential tag line for the theme of the campaign. Staff also will work with the community, Boulder
Police Department and City Attorney's Office as necessary to develop additional strategies to
improve safety on the paths.
Additionally, staff seeks to convene interdepartmental meetings to discuss the scope and schedule of
planned and proposed projects in support of bicycle and pedestrian modes. It is proposed that staff
representatives from city of Boulder Transportation, Parks and Recreation, and Mountain Parks and
Open Space and county of Boulder Transportation and Open Space be invited to participate. It is
anticipated that the meetings would be convened quarterly. The primary objectives are to improve
communication and coordination of projects, and to prioritize the planning and development of
interdepartmental and regional facility improvements and supplemental programs in support of
bicycle and pedestrian modes.
Staff plans to initiate the educational outreach campaign unless concerns are raised by Council. The
aim is to launch the campaign in June as a component of Bike Month and Walk and Bike Week.
Staff anticipates that the time frame for reconsidering an ordinance for electric-assist bicycles would
be one year to 18 months. Please direct any comments or questions to Marni Ratzel by e-mail at
ratzelm@ci.boulder.co.us or by telephone at 441-4138.
CC: Open Space Board of Trustees
Parks and Recreation Advisory Board
Transportation Advisory Board
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