Electric-assist bicycle pilot use on multi-use paths

1. Electric-assist bicycle pilot use on multi-use paths City Council Second reading and Public Hearing October 29, 2013

2. What is an e-bike? • A bicycle with an integrated motor. • Helps propel a rider up to a 20 mph limit. • 250 ~ 1,000 Watt motor capacity

3. In the City of Boulder E-bikes are currently… Allowed Prohibited On any multi-use paths Hard-surface Soft-surface (crusher fine) On any single track trails On any sidewalk • In on-street bicycle lanes  • On roadways

4. TMP objectives for biking • Bicycle Mode Share of more than 15% • Bicycle Friendly Community in support of our modal goals • Attract interested but concerned cyclists • Increase trips by older adults, women and families with children

5. Living Laboratory E-bike Pilot Project • Consider amendment to the definition of an e-bike • Test the use of e-bikes on multi-use paths as part of the TMP update Living Laboratory • Would not include sidewalks and OSMP trails

7. Proposed Ordinance • Excludes e-bikes from definition of a motor vehicle • New section 7-5-26 • Enable City manager rulemaking authority • Establishes a sunset date of Dec. 31, 2014

8. Staff recommendation Option 2 • Adopt Colorado State Law Definition • Test e-bike use on multi-use paths • E-bike use on the following would continue to be prohibited: • OSMP trails, including those that currently allow bikes • Sidewalks, except those designated as multi-use paths • TAB supports definition and pilot project

9. Key Findings from Public Input Support testing E-Bike Against testing E-Bike • Helps aging generations stay active and healthy • Makes longer distance commutes viable by bike • Economic & Less Polluting alternative to automobiles • Paths are too congested • Speed and safety • Behavior and Enforcement • Separation between Pedestrians and Bicyclists • Support amending definition of e-bike

10. The Five EsEngineering. Evaluation. Enforcement. Encouragement. Education Encouragement Education

11. The Five EsEngineering. Evaluation. Enforcement. Encouragement. Education Engineering Enforcement Targeted effort to enforce safe behavior of users Speeding Other motorized vehicle users on the path Other safety concerns

12. The Five EsEngineering. Evaluation. Enforcement. Encouragement. Education Living Laboratory Evaluation methods for e-bike pilot • Modal traffic volume, vehicle speeds, and collision experience • Field observations • Intercept surveys • Bike and Walk Audits / Focus Groups • Community Feedback Panel / Inspire Boulder

13. Success Lies at the Intersection Encouragement • World Class Bicycle City Education Engineering Enforcement Evaluation

14. Council consideration • Does Council support the proposed ordinance authorizing the pilot project? • Definition to conform with state law • Excludes e-bike from definition of a motor vehicle • Enacts rulemaking authority to allow/restrict which paths to include in the pilot project • Sunsets Dec. 31, 2014

15. Additional slides if needed follow…

16. Paved Paths On OSMP Land

17. Options for Regulating E-bikes Option 3 • Same as Option 2 but, also prohibits e-bikes on: • The Boulder Creek Path between Eben G. Fine Park and Scott Carpenter Park

18. Public Input to date Overview Over 250 comments expressing an opinion About 40% are against testing E-bikes on Multi-use paths About 55% are supportive of testing E-bikes on Multi-use paths About 5% are undecided Public Forums Inspire Boulder E-Bike Online Survey Email/Phone Public meetings

19. Council consideration • What is the Council recommendation on the proposed ordinance authorizing the pilot project? • Definition to conform with state law • Enacts rulemaking authority to allow/restrict which paths to include in the pilot project • Sunsets Dec. 31, 2014 • Does Council support the staff recommendation (Option 2) to test e-bike use of multi-use paths? • Option 1: No change (e-bikes on street/bike lanes only) • Option 2: Allow on multi-use paths except OSMP trails and sidewalks • Option 3: same as Option 2 with Boulder Creek Path prohibited between Eben Fine Park and Scott Carpenter Park

20. Options for Regulating E-bikes Option 2: Option 1: No change to City of Boulder definition Adopt Colorado State Law Definition • "Electric assisted bicycle" means a bicycle with a battery powered electric motor with a capacity of no more than four hundred watts continuous input power rating which assists the person pedaling and which is not capable of propelling the bicycle and rider at more than twenty miles per hour on level pavement. Colorado State Law* CRS 42-1-102 (28.5) "Electrical assisted bicycle" means a vehicle having two tandem wheels or two parallel wheels and one forward wheel, fully operable pedals, an electric motor not exceeding seven hundred fifty watts of power, and a top motor-powered speed of twenty miles per hour. * Denver and Fort Collins use this definition

21. Options for Regulating E-bikes Option 1 • No change • No Demonstration Project • E-bike use remains limited to streets and in designated bike lanes

22. Options for Regulating E-bikes Option 2 • Test e-bike use on multi-use paths • Sunset Dec.31, 2014. • E-bike use on the following would continue to be prohibited: • OSMP trails, including those that currently allow bikes • Sidewalks, except those designated as multi-use paths