Seattle Parks and Recreation will look at a plan to allow electric-assisted bicycles on multi-use trails.
E-bikes are already being used on some trails, but the city wants to put some rules in place.
Seattle Parks and Recreation told KIRO 7 that safety is a top concern. They also want to find a way that e-bikes can co-exist on the shared-use path.
Seattle Parks and Recreation is trying to work with regional stakeholders that help manage the trails.
There's an increasing use of electric-assisted bicycles all over Seattle. Washington State legislation just passed, and will take effect in June, which classifies electric-assisted bicycles into Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3.
"What are the expectations? What are the regulations and rules on these trails?" Todd Burley, a sustainability advisor with Seattle Parks and Recreation, said.
Burley presented to the Board of Park Commissioners on April 12 about the multi-use trail pilot project.
"This is our initial presentation to them about our proposal,” said Burley. “That will be followed by a public hearing on April 26, and a possible vote on it by the Board of Park Commissioners on May 10."
The pilot proposal has three main parts:
- Establishing a 15 mph speed limit for all users.
- Doing an education campaign in partnership with the Seattle Department of Transportation.
- Allowing Class 1 and Class 2 electric-assisted bicycles on five of the following multi-use trails Seattle Parks and Recreation manage:
- Burke-Gilman Trail
- Elliott Bay Trail
- Mountains To Sound Trail
- Melrose Connector Trail
- Duwamish Trail
"We identified trails that were used by commuters that had high use,” said Burley. “[We] also [want to be clear that these are] trails that we heard about this issue from the public on."
KIRO 7 had no trouble finding people concerned about sharing the Burke-Gilman Trail with e-bikes.
"If you're on an electric bike that is not propelled by you, you're probably a little less likely to be in control," Doug Diekema, a Seattle resident, said.
But others see it as a solution.
"Anything that can help this congestion we're seeing in Seattle right now, I think this is going to be a big benefit,” said a University of Washington student, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
Seattle Parks and Recreation told KIRO 7 it hopes to launch the pilot program on Memorial Day weekend.
The pilot program would run until 2019.
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