Item B - Motor-Assist. Scooters - Laserfiche WebLink

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asked to complete the questionnaire. Of the approximately 95 questionnaires completed, 47 percent were strongly opposed to motorized use on the paths; 37 percent believed that there could be mixed use on paths for electric scooters if some additional regulations were developed and 7 percent had no objection to the use of bicycle/pedestrian paths by motor-assisted scooters. Seven questionnaires were completed by people who identified themselves as "scooter users". On August 12, the City held a community workshop to discuss the possibility of regulating motor- assisted scooters. The workshop was attended by approximately 72 people. Seventy-nine percent of the people at the workshop were bicycle and pedestrian users of the paths. The opinions of these individuals ranged from 32 people being completely opposed to any use of motorized transportation devices on the paths to 12 who believed that with some constraints, electric motor-assisted scooters would be tolerable. These people felt strongly that compromises must resolve issues of noise and pollution. Approximately 15 people who attended the workshop were scooter users and of this group, most used scooters for recreation and for commuting, several of whom indicating that they chose electric scooters as a viable non-polluting alternative to cars. Attachment B contains the results of the public input received at the August 12 community workshop regarding motor-assisted scooter use on bicycle/pedestrian paths. Based upon City Council direction and public input, the following three options have been drafted for the council's consideration. The three options can be implemented separately, in combination with each other, or the council may chose to take no action on any of these options. Option 1 - Bans motorized transportation devices from all city owned off-street paths. No motorized transportation device may be operated on any City-owned, off-street bicycle or pedestrian path or trail, unless exempt. "Motorized transportation device" means any vehicle that is not propelled exclusively by human power, including but not limited to, an electric-assisted bicycle (when not being operated by human propulsion), an electric personal assistive mobility device, a moped, a motor-assisted scooter, a motor vehicle, a motorcycle, a motorized skateboard, or any similar vehicle that operates without human propulsion. A motorized transportation device is exempt from this provision if it is used as a mobility aid by a person with a mobility impairment, used by a person with express permission from the City, or used by a City employee or agent in the course of City business. Rationale: With the help of energetic bicycling advocates and a supportive City Council, bicycling has become a permanent part of the Eugene lifestyle. An award-winning system of bikeways in Eugene includes 30 miles of off-street paths, 89 miles of on-street bicycle lanes, and 5 bicycle/pedestrian bridges spanning the Willamette River. Eugene's bikeways connect to Springfield's bicycle system and to bikeways in metropolitan Lane County. Bikeways are used by pedestrians of all ages and walks of life. There is a passionate commitment in Eugene by the users of the bicycle paths to maintaining this system for non-motorized travel. These large and vocal groups of advocates have strongly indicated that they do not want to see any motorized transportation devices used on the pathways except for wheelchairs and mobility devices used by people with disabilities. L:\CMO\2004 Council Agendas\M040915\S040915B.doc