People are wary about their speed and size, but Sarnia city council is permitting e-bikes on city paths and trails.
People are wary about their speed and size, but Sarnia city council is permitting e-bikes on city paths and trails.
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A one-year pilot study was approved this week, though council has yet to pass the bylaw. Council voted 7-2, with councilors Bill Dennis and Terry Burrell opposed.
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E-bike users are operating them on trails and pathways in the city anywaydespite a city bylaw dating to 2011 making it illegal, council heard.
But without a functioning, unified bike lane network in the city — council recently agreed in the years to come to build up that network as part of its active transportation master plan — people who rely on e-bikes to get around need a way to use them if they’re getting to work or appointments, said Coun. Chrissy McRoberts.
About 430 people took part in a recent survey, and a little more than half said council should keep restrictions in place.
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But at nearly a coin toss — 55 per cent opposed — the equity concerns of the minority need to be taken into account, said Coun. Adam Kilner.
“Especially for people with accessibility issues, folks who have an e-bike as the only way to get around,” he said.
Safety should be the primary concern, Dennis said, noting tranquility on pathways and trails in the city is also important.
“Pedal bikes are fine, but I agree with the majority of our citizens who do not agree with allowing motorized bikes on our trails and pathways,” he said.
Enforcing restrictions is tough, so staff recommended following provincial e-bike rules for roadways on city pathways and trails for a year.
All e-bikes have working pedals, braking systems and handlebars, and speed capped at 32 km/h, staff have said. Users also have to be age 16 or older and wear a helmet.
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“They are governed by all the same regulations that other bikes are,” said city engineering and operations general manager David Jackson.
Scooters without pedals, and large, more powerful vehicles that may have pedals, are precluded under the province’s definition, city spokesperson Steve Henschel said.
Details of an etiquette education campaign, teaching trail and pathway-using pedestrians and cyclists, including those on e-bikes, how to share the space and use a bell or horn when passing, will be brought back to council for approval later on, Jackson said.
“Largely, it would be a survey of users, to say ‘how has it worked? What are concerned? What are issues?’” he said.
Counters and cameras also could be used for monitoring, he said.
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“We would look to do some of that,” pending council direction, he said.
The city’s Bluewater trails committee noted it’s in favor of pedal-assist e-bikes — users still have to pedal — but not throttle versions on city pathways and trails. Throttle versions still have pedals, but they don’t have to be used for the e-bike to move, city officials have said.
Council also approved indefinitely allowing the Bluewater Cycling Organization to operate its cycling without age program, using trishaw e-bikes to give seniors low-speed rides — 10-12 km/h — on city pathways and trails.
The committee gave 250 rides last year under a one-year pilot program with the city, officials said.
There have been no complaints, officials said.
Council unanimously approved that request.
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