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Comments Sought on Three Proposals to Change Skateboard and Bike Laws in Eugene <br />The City of Eugene will hold a public open house on Monday, Nov. 18, from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Eugene Public Library <br />Bascom-Tykeson Room to present three proposed changes to City bike and skateboard laws. The session will include a <br />staff presentation followed by questions and comments from the public. <br /> <br />Proposal 1 <br />Allow electric-assisted bicycles to be ridden on off-street, shared-use paths. Currently, City Code does not allow electric- <br />assisted bicycles to be ridden on off-street, shared-use paths with the electric-assist device engaged although electric bikes <br />are considered bicycles under state law. Eugene’s prohibition is inconsistent with other cities in Oregon. Electric-assist <br />bicycles are increasingly popular because they allow users to travel for longer distances, carry more cargo on their bikes, <br />and to get an extra boost when needed. <br /> <br />Proposal 2 <br />Expand the downtown bicycle and skateboard “no sidewalk riding” zone to cover new areas where pedestrian safety <br />concerns have been expressed by the public. Several alternative zones will be presented for consideration inside the area <br />bounded by 6 Avenue, High Street, 13 Avenue and Charnelton Street. This proposal is intended to improve public safety <br />thth <br />in high-pedestrian areas. <br /> <br />Proposal 3 <br />Allow skateboards to be ridden on city streets. Currently, skateboards cannot be ridden in the portion of a street <br />designated for automobile traffic, except when crossing a street in a crosswalk or at a right angle. Skateboarding is <br />completely prohibited in areas of downtown Eugene and near the University of Oregon, where it is also banned on the <br />sidewalks. This proposal would make skateboarding a more viable transportation option, especially in areas where it is <br />illegal to ride in the street and on the sidewalk. Skateboarding is increasing as a travel option and the new WJ Skate Park <br />will generate more demand for skateboarding from current residents and visitors from out of the area. <br /> <br />The public input received at this open house will be used to help determine what changes to the code will be recommended <br /> <br />to the City Council at a work session in 2014.For more information about the open house or these proposals, contact <br />Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator Lee Shoemaker at lee.shoemaker@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-682-5471. <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />EUGENE CITY COUNCIL NEWSLETTER PAGE 5 <br />November 7, 2013 <br />