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Juneau Assembly to accept testimony about e-bike regulations Monday
By Jasz Garrett
Juneau Independent
After months of public uproar, the Juneau Assembly is set to hold a hearing on adding prohibitions on e-bikes and enforcing a penalty of up to a $150 civil fine for violations. But a desire to expand the regulation's scope may mean a decision is delayed.
The concern of e-bikes was first reviewed by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee in July and most recently discussed at a Committee of the Whole meeting on Sept. 21. During the latter meeting Assembly members considered regulating e-bikes citywide rather than only in parks and recreation areas.
"In general, folks are interested in pursuing the e-scooter, e-skateboard later really," said Assembly Member Alicia Hughes-Skandijs regarding an Assembly Lands, Housing and Economic Development Committee discussion on the topic in August. "People also discussed not really focusing on the e-bikes right now, but to focus on the e-moto issue."
City Manager Katie Koester is recommending the Assembly table the currently proposed ordinance on Monday because members have expressed interest in working on citywide regulations. The next regularly scheduled Assembly meeting where it might be considered is Nov. 16.
The proposal would amend Title 67 to establish regulations for electric bicycle use in city parks, trails and recreation areas, and on designated Eaglecrest trails. The ordinance generally prohibits electric and motorized bicycles on parks and trails where motorized vehicles are prohibited, according to the agenda. Class 1 e-bikes and powered adaptive bicycles may be used on trails open to bicycles, unless otherwise posted.
"We wouldn't completely dismiss this, but we would focus more on the other issues up for regulation and then spend some more time later on discussing or crafting regulations for these other items," Assembly Member Paul Kelly said during the Sept. 21 meeting.
"It's something that you are not alone in struggling with," Deputy City Manager Robert Barr told the Assembly members present, noting it is a significant topic in many municipalities and state legislation has been passed.
He said e-motos are more powerful compared to e-bikes.
"They are much more appropriately compared to a gas-powered dirt bike than they are to an e-bike. And we've been lucky, I would say, to not have seen significant injury — not no injury — but significant injury or more serious incidents of e-moto on pedestrian type of activity, but we are a little bit unique in that respect," Barr said. He said there are examples of serious injuries happening in other communities.
"We have had lots of complaints from the public, and I'd characterize it as just general outreach from the public that there are a lot of, in some cases, very young youth on these e-motos that have a lot of power that give rise to a lot of safety concerns," he said.
Public testimony will be accepted in person at City Hall and online during the Assembly meeting scheduled at 6 p.m. on Monday. Public hearings are also scheduled to be held on other proposed ordinances.
• Contact Jasz Garrett at jasz@juneauindependent.com or 907-723-9356.
