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Open Space Advisory Board <br />Minutes <br />March 8th 2016 <br />Page 4 of 5 <br />IX. Discussion Item: Review and OSAB Recommendations Regarding Allowance <br />of Electric Bikes on the US 36 Bikeway and Louisville Trails. Presentation by: Lisa <br />Ritchie, Associate Planner with City of Louisville <br />Laura said her main concern was about the slippery slope of allowing any kind of <br />motors on trails. She wondered whether the City would be asked to permit class 2 e - <br />bikes in a few years, and so on. Graeme liked that e -bikes allow cycling for people with <br />physical impairments. Fiona liked that the pedal -assist technology is quiet, preserving <br />the serenity of Open Space. Jeff added that bike manufacturers are "betting big" on e - <br />bikes, and predicted we are likely to see more and more of them. Joe commented the <br />enforcement of prohibiting e -bikes altogether is going to be nearly impossible. The Hwy. <br />36 Biking Solutions group is advocating for e -bikes to be permitted on all the networks <br />that connect to the Hwy. 36 Bikeway. Anyone from Louisville who tries to commute on <br />the Bikeway, will probably begin or end on a City of Louisville trail (specifically at <br />Davidson Mesa or on the Coal Creek Trail). The board was generally supportive of <br />class 1 e -bikes on City of Louisville trails. Missy expressed some concern that the <br />classes of e -bikes are not well -standardized (except in California). <br />Additional information: <br />A Comparison of Environmental Impacts from Mountain Bicycles, Class 1 Electric <br />Mountain Bicycles, and Motorcycles: Soil Displacement and Erosion on Bike -Optimized <br />Trails in a Western Oregon Forest by the International Mountain Bicycling Association <br />https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1 &cad=rja&uact=8 <br />&ved=OahUKEwikjvPA9YrTAhWs34MKHYUZB81QFggaMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fb.3c <br />dn.net%2Fbikes%2Fc3fe8a28f1 a0f32317_g3m6bdt7g.pdf&usg=AFQjCNHzAFMm4LJuG <br />HDT-3SYycJBz5n3hA OSAB was asked 3 questions: <br />1) Does OSAB support the use of e -bikes on the US 36 Bikeway? unanimous <br />yes <br />2) Does OSAB support the use of e -bikes in Open Space and on trails <br />throughout the City? Or on certain trails, such as paved trails, but not soft <br />surface? unanimous yes for all trails <br />3) Are there any concerns with the use of e -bikes in the City of Louisville? <br />Linda expressed concern about how enforcement can tell between a class 1 and <br />a class 2 e -bike. Laura is still concerned about motor "creep" over time. Helen <br />wants more bike etiquette enforcement and speed limits if necessary. Laura felt <br />that the City needs to invest in more bike -standard trails (e.g. full passing width). <br />X. Discussion Item: Review and OSAB Recommendations Regarding Proposed <br />2017 Educational Programs & Advertising (10 Minutes) <br />Ember explained that the goal is to approve these education programs, discuss <br />recommended changes to the current list, and to discuss advertising options. She <br />included the idea of paying to advertise education programs in the Daily Camera and the <br />local paper (the Hometown Weekly). The board was supportive of promoting the <br />program. <br />XI. Discussion Item: Review and Finalize Key Indicator Surveys (10 Minutes) <br />The board supported Fiona's recommendation for formatting changes to the <br />education and volunteer key indicator surveys. The board recommended adding: "What <br />else would you like to learn about?" and a line to add a name and contact number (even <br />6 <br />