Item B - Motor-Assist. Scooters - Laserfiche WebLink

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There are no specific timing issues associated with this item. The heaviest period of motor-assisted scooter use will be the drier months of summer and fall. (The manufacturer' s instructions with many motor-assisted scooters specifically state that they should only be ridden on dry pavement.) Discussion needs to occur with University of Oregon and Lane Community College students who make up a significant user group for motor-assisted scooters. Work on this issue can continue during inclement weather which should provide ample time to schedule a public hearing after students are back in school. RELATED CITY POLICIES The City of Eugene Park and Open Space Rules address noise and noisy equipment as well as the operation of bicycles and motor vehicles in parks. The Park and Open Space Rules provide examples of segregating types of use of public paths such as prohibiting bicycles from pedestrian-only paths and of the prohibition of motorized vehicles from use on pedestrian/bicycle paths in designated parks. The Eugene TransPlan includes policies designed to "direct the development and implementation of actions that encourage the use of modes other than single-occupant vehicles to meet daily travel needs." In addition, many other City of Eugene planning documents discuss the need to encourage alternative modes of transportation. Two City Council goals which directly relate to this issue are: · "Sustainable Community Development - A community that retains a high quality of life and a healthy economy, effectively links land use and transportation planning, and successfully manages growth and change in the urban environment." · "Healthy Natural And Built Environment - A community that conserves and enhances the natural environment and provides an attractive and healthy place to live." The 30 miles of Eugene's bicycle/pedestrian trails include the East Bank Trail which is located entirely within the Willamette River Greenway. The Willamette River Greenway is designated by Oregon Statewide Planning Goal 15 to protect, conserve, enhance and maintain the natural, scenic, historical, agricultural, economic and recreational qualities of lands along the Willamette River. Similarly, other pedestrian/bicycle trails travel through protected wetlands and areas of public open space which are designated by various local, state and national planning goals for protection and conservation. COUNCIL OPTIONS Prior to the June 14 City Council work session, the City received approximately thirty calls registering complaints about the noise and the use of motor-assisted scooters on bicycle/pedestrian paths. Since the June 14 work session and the publicity that the session received, the City has continued to receive a high number of public contacts on this issue. To date, approximately 56 complaints and five supporting letters, phone calls and emails have been received in Public Works and the Police Department. An example of public input from both a pro motor-assisted scooter use viewpoint and an anti-use viewpoint have been included as Attachment A to summarize public comments received on this issue. A brief questionnaire was developed to standardize the record of public comments about the use of motor-assisted scooters in Eugene. On three occasions in August, people using the bicycle paths were L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M040915\S040915B.doc