As I have mentioned earlier today, both the Active Transportation Board and the Parks Board tabled the recommendation citing ignorance of E2 technology.
And that is FAIR.
As I told Councilor Neitzert after the first meeting, I would much rather have NO recommendation then one from a group of volunteers that don’t understand the topic.
While Greg wants to rework the ordinance, AGAIN, and bring it back, I told him to just bring it to the council as is. Councilor Starr agreed and further added that we gave these boards an opportunity to make a recommendation and they passed citing their lack of knowledge on the topic. So what would make you think they would become any wiser in a month or two?
I think the council has at least 5 votes to pass this, and there will be public opposition and support. Even if it fails, you can use the experience to figure out what needs to be reworked. Or better yet, pass the ordinance with an amendment that funds a year long study of the effects of E2s on the trails and speed limits. After a 12 month review the city council can come back and tweak the issues, or expand the availability. This isn’t rocket science folks. You could even put a 12-month cutoff on the temporary ordinance with the intent to re-introduce or make permanent.
One of my friends who recently moved back to Sioux Falls after living in the Southwest for the past decade is an E-bike fanatic and was really involved in her last E-Biking community and she was amazed by how far behind Sioux Falls is when it comes to regulating the technology. We are essentially 5 years behind the rest of the country (ironically when they passed this stupid ordinance to begin with).
We want to be big kids when it comes to parking ramps and hotels on the river but we play like tots* when it comes to modernizing city policies. I think I am going to start handing out binkies at these meetings moving forward.
*There was an ‘incident’ at the Parks Board Meeting that I will posting about in the near future.
I would like to propose a compromise for this flaming controversy involving e-bikes and the bike trail. I say we designate a different day of the week for different constituencies who frequent or want to frequent the bike trail. And, this is my proposal:
Sundays would be only for traditional bicyclists and walkers.
Mondays would be for all e-bikes including those up to class 7 that eventually make their way to Sturgis or Daytona.
Tuesdays would only be for rug rats and their parents who seem to not be able to keep their kids on the right side of the path.
Wednesdays would be for mountain lions and those who have recently purchased a new Sasquatch outfit from the newest Halloween store in our fine city.
Thursdays would be for panhandlers, hookers, and developers.
Fridays would be dump day for serial killers.
AND, Saturdays would be a free for all of all of the above, and then after a year of studying Saturdays on the trail, we could then make our final decision about what to do with this flaming controversy.
What about pogo sticks? Are they legal on the bike trail? #EPogo
Oh, I forgot to mention, I wish we had an eighth day in the week. Because, I really wanted to proposed a designated day on the bike trail just for Lululemon Mammas from Hari-Bourgeois Nord (Taupeville), who stop from time to time on the bike trail to carefully use their finely manicured fingers and nails to like the most recent mayoral selfie, but I guess we will just have to fit them in with the traditionalists on Sundays. But, that will also, however, make for some additional and enjoyable eye candy for all the dads, with their domineering wives, on the bike trail that day, I guess, which is good. 🙂
“Say, will the city be offering free additional “Dump Passes” for Fridays with your proposal?” 🙁
Oh, and one more detail about my proposal, I also really wanted to have a designated day just for the elderly and those who are handicapped. You know, a day for crutches, walkers, wheelchairs and motorized “e”scooters, but I think we will just have to squeeze them in with the traditionalists on Sundays. Else, there’s possibly an opening for them on Wednesdays as well. 🙂