`Kay. From here:
http://www.fcgov.com/council/
On the second and fourth Tuesday of every month, City Council conducts a 'work session'. The purpose of a work session is to provide Council an opportunity to discuss issues in depth. Unlike regular Council meetings, there is no public input during a work session.
...so last nights meet wasn't open for public input.
But there was an audience at least. The whole session was videotaped and is already posted online:
http://www.fcgov.com/cable14/video.php
Now Playing
Fort Collins City Council Work Session 6/28/11
There are three topics on the agenda. The first is a periodic review with Boards and Commssions. Then an update on electric transmission. Finally, a discussion about electric assisted bicycles on City trails.
The frustrating thing is, the video is 1 hour 50 minutes and neither Windoze Media Player or Realplayer will fast forward or pause the damn thing...
But the part of the meeting concerning ebikes on trails starts at 54min.
The staff guy presents his video w/little narrative added, then no immediate comments or questions after staff slideshow presentation...
Again, can't pause the video, but some notes including lots of paraphrasing:
First speaker:
"...not really a fan of the ebike thing..."
"...can't unfire the gun..."
"it's not a bike trail. It's not for commuting... not engineered for bicycles"
"...some ppl think it's a bike trail. Can't forget pedestrians..."
"...One year trial period long enough..."
"...education really important..."
"...is it "engines" or "motors"..."
Staff not recommending ebikes on non-paved trails.
"...maybe should be only some paved trails..."
3rd Speaker
"speed-demon bikers... small children"
"...not convinced ebikers are any more dangerous..."
"...education..."
(Hey, at least one speaker refers to "Josh" as being helpful in all this... Josh K., was that you???)
...more an issue of gearing and testosterone and not the tech..."
"...speed limit good..."
"...congestion an issue but not caused by ebikes..."
next speaker
"...biggest concern enforcement..."
"...small children/walkers..."
"...adding a layer of complexity..."
"...walkable communities..."
back to 1st speaker
"...not supportive but trial period OK..."
"...what plans for congestion..."
"...sunset clause..."
"...impact on wild life..."
Head of staff:
"...staff ebike team started with concerns, "grew" to neutrality after trying them and studying the issue..."
Question for police services:
"...Police did not support due to safety and enforcement concerns..."
"...recreational trails, not commuter trails..."
1st speaker:
"staff needs to detail things more... weight of engines etc..."
emailed suggestion:
"...re enforcement, Park volunteers as trail ambassadors..."
"On your left" yell is scary..."
"...ebikes should have bells like other bikes..."
How did weight limit, width limit recommendations come about?
Current definition doesn't exclude some mopeds
"...what is the magnitude of the problem?"
"...we think there is about 50 of them in town now (other than disabled)..."
"Watt if older ppl stop using the trails because they're worried?"
1st speaker
"...I have ten electric bike ppl sitting right behind me..."
(that was funny `cause I'd been watching the body language of the folks observing the meet sitting behind him and was wondering at their reactions EVery time the guy opened his mouth again) :lol:
Last speaker at about 1:35 was the Mayor:
"Issue is bigger than ebikes. Trails have become busy. I have a group of friends that ride ebikes. They are no different than other bikes. The problem is that as you age it gets harder on the hills. CSU students are going a lot faster than 20-30mph in the mornings on pedal bikes. One of the worst things on the trails are ppl walking their dogs `cause they're unpredictible. Never thought I would be advocating for the bicycle community but I am. As more and more seniors become active, trails provide safe paths for cyclists..."
"...look fwd. to seeing it coming forward..."
And ebike part of meeting ends about 1:46.
Fort Collins, your Mayor ROCKS!
So basically staff were told to detail the proposal more eg length of trial period only one year, their definition of ebike to be amended to exclude "mopeds" by weight and width restriction etc, and it sounds like it will go forward to a City Council meet for a vote.
Watt the good folks of Fort Collins don't seem to realize is that there are no one horse-power-rated "mopeds" out there. Anything sold as a "moped" is far more powerful than 750W and can go a lot faster than 20mph to take advantage of legal limits under which mopeds are permitted.
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