As gas prices rise and the weather warms, you may hear the phrase “on your left” mixed with a power-drill-like buzz the next time you are passed on one of Fort Collins' local trails.
Though not yet legal, steps are being taken among city leaders and advocates to change city ordinances to allow motorized, electric bicycles on Fort Collins' pedestrian trails and bike paths.
Currently, any motorized vehicle is prohibited on trails in town. If the ordinance is changed, certain electric-powered vehicles and bicycles would be allowed, but there is still a lot of work to be done.
“This is really the beginning stage, but it seems to be picking up momentum,” Fort Collins Director of Park Planning Craig Foreman said.
The 25-year Parks Service worker said that the process has been in the works for years, and it is currently in the ending months of the initial “outreach stage” where comments and concerns from numerous agencies and boards around the city are being heard.
Supporters of the measure include Josh Kerson, owner of RunAbout Cycles, a local “e-bike” store. According to minutes from the Board of Parks and Recreation, Kerson has repeatedly pressed for changes to the ordinances and has said that these bikes are being used by the elderly for “social recreation.”
In a letter to the Board of Parks and Recreation, Kerson said that over 50 electric bikes are already in use in Fort Collins. “These help our country reduce its dependence on foreign oil, reduce our carbon footprint and enable people to resume their old exercising habits again.”
Many say that the elderly have special requirements that often go unnoticed including difficulty breathing and weaker musculature. Kerson says these bikes will allow this group of citizens back on the trails with a little help from a motor.
With this technology gaining momentum, board members expressed concern that it would be too loud and that people would travel too fast and reckless on bikes that can travel up to 20 mph with little effort.
However, supporters including Kerson say that the main group is the traditionally careful elderly population, and motors can be made to be slightly louder than a hand-held drill.
One of the hand-built bikes from RunAbout Cycles
The interest in this has yet to impact college-age populations, it seems. When surveyed, many trail-users had no knowledge of the measures being considered and seemed indifferent to the idea of new vehicles on the trails
“I've seen them around campus, and they don't really seem like a big deal as long as people follow common-sense rules,” 21-year-old sociology student Menna Kubisiak said.
Pablo Bidwell, a 20-year-old computer science major, agreed for the most part. However, he was wary of how the city would limit and enforce the different technologies on the market.
“Electric bikes sound fine, but then what about gas-electric mixes or different power sources? What about size limits? Whatever they decide, they need to think about these little things.”
When asked why the process has taken such a long time and what the next step would be, Foreman said, “You have to take into account the various interests of different groups. Fort Collins has a history of taking the necessary precautions before changing things, and we like to take pride in what we actually accomplish.”
An outreach program will be held Saturday, March 26 at City Park from 10 a.m. to noon. Numerous board members and interested people will be in attendance including Kerson, e-bike users and local politicians.
This is the largest e-bike event in Fort Collins yet, and everyone is encouraged to attend.
For more information, visit www.fcgov.com/bicycling.
Check it out for yourself
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Good job of advocating event and providing multiple extra sources of information and visual elements.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kyle, you did a nice job of advocating an supporting the event without sort of "pushing" it into the reader's face. You provided just enough sources and incorporated a fair amount of visuals for me to understand what the event entailed, why people should be going, and an overview of the points you were trying to back up and advocate.
ReplyDeleteWell-written, balanced story, and I liked the breakout box and pictures. This is obviously an issue that could raise concern in the future, so it's a good topic. Well done!
ReplyDeleteVery relevant story, especially since Fort Collins is a bike-friendly city. The quotes are well-balanced and appropriate... Good Job!
ReplyDeleteVery interesting. As I started reading I thought "no way do I want motorized vehicles on the trails." But you did a good job presenting both sides and made me reconsider my position a bit. Great job putting a lot of information in a readable space.
ReplyDeleteGood job! I really liked the photos you used, and you did an awesome job incorporating a breakout box. Your story is really interesting and fun to read. It's well-written, and the organization flows very nicely.
ReplyDeleteGood job on your story. A lot of people are going to be affected by this because so many people ride bikes of all kinds in Fort Collins. Your story is interesting, balanced, and relevant.
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