MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – After concerns over E-bike safety on the Lakeshore multi-use path, the Marquette City Commission empowered an E-bike task force to look at the problem.
Tonight was their first meeting.
“This is going to be very tough. I know we have a broad range of opinions from both sides of ranging from those people who want no E-bikes, no E vehicles, at all on the bike path, and those who want to be able to take whatever vehicle they want on the bike path,” said Carey Gottlieb, the task force chairperson.
Tonight’s gathering was more of an organizational meeting. However, once assembled, the committee began diving into some of the tough questions, like how to regulate behavior on the path.
“It comes down to a matter of etiquette. I think if we all just had common courtesy and followed basic rules of the road, and we’re basically aware of other people being on the path,” said Gottlieb.
Currently, only class 1 e-bikes are allowed on the multi-use path. These are e-bikes with no throttle and a top speed of 20 miles per hour. The task force will solicit input from bikers and the non-riding public, who also need to follow the rules.
“You don’t walk three or four abreast on the bike path. You stay to the right. Don’t have your dog on a 12-foot Flexi lead, but have your dog on a well-controlled lead right next to you,” said Gottlieb.
The task force will not initiate any new laws. They were assembled to gather information and come up with recommendations for the City Commission.
The Task Force hopes to complete their mission by December 21
