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ThreeRivers <br /> PARK DISTRICT <br /> March 1, 2010 <br /> Three Rivers Mike Gaffron, Assistant City Administrator <br /> Park District City of Orono <br /> Board of 2750 Kelle Pkw <br /> Commissioners Y y <br /> Orono MN 55356 <br /> Re: Three Rivers Park District Proposal to Allow E-Bikes on Regional Trails <br /> Sara Wyatt <br /> °'St�'�t ' Dear Mr. Gaffron: <br /> Three Rivers Park District is considering a proposal that would allow the use of electric- <br /> assist pedal bicycles (e-bikes) on the Park District's regional trails. As a valued partner, <br /> Marilynn Corcoran, We�d like to share our rationale for this proposal and invite your feedback. This topic was <br /> v��e cna�� initially reviewed by a Committee of the Park District's Board in 2009 and we are <br /> District 2 � <br /> planning to bring back a recommendation to the Committee on March 18th with final <br /> Board consideration on April gtn <br /> To help bring you up to speed on the current status of e-bikes, we'd like to provide you <br /> Mark Haggerty <br /> �;St�;�t 3 with a bit of background information: <br /> State Definition of E-Bikes <br /> Minnesota law considers e-bikes to be a special subset of motorized vehicles, defining <br /> �a�ewooabe�k and restricting their design in a manner similar to classic bikes. The definition requires <br /> District4 that to be classified as an e-bike, the bicycle cannot exceed a maximum speed of 20 <br /> miles per hour and must meet certain federal safety standards; it must have a saddle, <br /> operable pedals, and two or three wheels; and the electric motor (which may not exceed <br /> 1,000 watts) must disengage during braking. E-bikes look like a classic bicycle, take up <br /> Rosemary franzese the same amount of trail space as a classic bike, and are ridden as a classic bike. They <br /> ��st���t s can only be operated by persons 16 years of age or older with a valid license. <br /> Growing Popularity of E-Bikes <br /> E-bikes are growing in popularity throughout the country and the Twin Cities. These <br /> Larry Blackstad,Chair bikes are now sold at a number of local bike shops and other retailers. Nationally, sales <br /> APpo��ted increased by 60% last year. Although a niche market bicycle, Park District public safety <br /> and research staff both report that these bikes are frequently seen on the Park District's <br /> regional trails. <br /> Barbara Kinsey Use of E-Bikes <br /> Appointed Informal research indicates that e-bike users fall into one of two categories: (1) previous <br /> bicyclists with health issues who are looking for some sort of assistance when riding; <br /> and (2) individuals who want a viable alternative to the car for transportation. This <br /> second group includes commuters who want to avoid the carbon emissions of a car or <br /> Cris Gears road congestion, as well as those who want to utilize the bike to run errands and carry <br /> s�Pe���ce�aent goods. Many of the users in both groups use e-bikes because they are concerned about <br /> the environment and want to do their part to reduce the effects of climate change. <br /> Administrative Center, 3000 Xenium Lane North, Plymouth, MN 55441-1299 <br /> Information 763.559.9000 • TTY 763.559.6719 • Fax 763.559.3287 • www.ThreeRiversParks.org <br />