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roadways with a speed limit of 25 MPH or less, or roadways that had specific bike lanes. The majority of <br />local roadways did not have dedicated bike lanes, citing Franklin Boulevard, and 6th and 7th avenues as <br />examples. <br /> <br />Councilor Ortiz said she had questions similar to those of Councilor Poling, noting in her ward, people <br />used the devices for transportation. She said the proposed ordinance would be problematic for people <br />who worked at Valley River Center who would have to walk the devices across the bridge. Sgt. Schulz <br />suggested it may be possible to commute to a Park and Ride location, or a bus stop, and then use Lane <br />Transit District (LTD) services. He added that sharing pedestrian areas or automobile areas presented <br />safety issues, noting that the multi-use paths had traditionally been viewed as a sanctuary by those who <br />wished to get around under their own power. <br /> <br />Councilor Kelly said he would like an answer to the following questions before the council considered <br />adoption of the ordinance. He noted there were two sets of conditions in the ordinance, the notification on <br />sale that identified specific requirements for motorized scooters, and the broader prohibition on off-street <br />bike paths. The prohibitions on what could be done with motorized assisted scooters came right out of <br />State law, which defined motor-assisted scooters in a different place than it defined electric-assisted <br />bicycles. He expressed concern that under State law, an electric-assisted bicycle could be ridden on a 35 <br />MPH street with no bike lane. His constituent wanted assurance that the first section of the ordinance was <br />not intended to prohibit in Eugene only an electric-assisted bike being ridden on a 35 MPH street with no <br />bike lane. Councilor Kelly commented that the ordinance had a clause that the prohibition on off-street <br />paths would not apply to mobility-impaired individuals who needed a motorized device. He emphasized <br />that it was important the mobility impairment be broadly defined to include situations where a medical <br />condition would prohibit an individual from driving an automobile, but could safely use a scooter that did <br />not go faster than 15 MPH. He expressed pleasure that the Human Rights Commission Accessibility <br />Committee had been consulted and would be involved in drafting the administrative rules. He hoped there <br />would be outreach that would publicize opportunities for people to provide input on the mobility <br />impairment issue to the Accessibility Committee. <br /> <br />Councilor Kelly said it was not his reading that SegWays would be allowed on the bicycle paths, and <br />asked Sgt. Schulz to verify the State statute. <br /> <br />Councilor Pap6 concurred with Councilor Kelly on mobility impairment issues. He suggested that the <br />City Attorney review the language in 4.979(1)(e) to allow operation of the devices on private property. <br />Councilor Pap6 reported that former Councilor Nancy Nathanson had previously noted that people valued <br />many things in the community, and no one valued the multi-use paths more than he did. He also wanted to <br />encourage the use of alternate forms of transportation, especially getting people out of their automobiles, <br />and expressed concern, as had Councilor Poling and Councilor Ortiz, about running all motorized vehicles <br />off of alternate ways to get through the community. <br /> <br />Councilor Kelly continued Councilor Pap6's comments, noting the conundrum of not wanting to put a 15 <br />MPH scooter in the middle of the Ferry Street Bridge, while at the same time not wanting to put it on the <br />sidewalk. He said it was important to take a specific look at critical missing bike lanes on major streets <br />such as Martin Luther King Boulevard. He also suggested that if the off-street paths were removed, a <br />focused look at adding priority bike lanes should be examined. He asked staff to provide him with a stand- <br />alone motion that was not part of the ordinance to direct staff to scope out priority bike lane stripping. <br /> <br />MINUTES--Eugene City Council February 14, 2005 Page 8 <br /> Regular Session <br /> <br /> <br />