The City Council discussed the creation of an electric bicycle policy for Avalon Tuesday, April 6. There was no formal vote this week , but City Manager Denise Radde will bring a formal resolution back to a future meeting for their approval.
“Previous City Councils have denied the addition of new e-bike permits citing concerns relating to safety, traffic, congestion and pending the result of a large scale traffic or circulation study,” according to the staff report by City Manager Denise Radde and Administrative Analyst Devin Hart.
Rather than do such a study, staff recommended creating a policy for e-bikes.
Councilmember Cinde MacGugan-Cassidy proposed a limit of 70 permits. The other council members agreed. She said she wanted to have a separate discussion, at another meeting about Seqways.
Radde told the council that this policy would be like the cruise ship policy. It would come back to the council every two years.
They approved specific routes, including “Upper and Middle Terrace, the portion of Crescent Avenue known as Front Street, Falls Canyon Road, within residential condo complexes, dirt trails, sidewalks, and grass,” according to the Radde and Hart report.
The remark triggered applause in the Council Chambers.
Cassidy also wanted language added to the policy that would require changes in the operations of an e-bike business to be subject to city approval through the transportation permit.
“Absolutely,” Radde said.
The policy would also require e-bike business operators to report accidents.
Radde told the council she would bring a resolution back for the Consent Calendar to make sure she captured everything the council wanted.
