MARQUETTE, Mich. (WZMQ) – The City of Marquette has focused its attention to the heightened usage of e-bikes throughout its multi-use path networks, and the safety concerns surrounding them.
On Monday evening, the city commission voted 7-0 on the introduction of a temporary task force, specifically designed to regulate safer usage of e-bikes. This task force will be comprised of three Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee (TPAC) members, three Parks and Recreation members, and City Commissioner Cary Gottlieb.
This comes after TPAC held a special meeting with the city’s Parks and Recreation department last week, aiming at more safety regulations towards e-bikes.
“We’re hearing a lot more complaints,” said Chairperson for the Traffic and Parking Advisory Committee, Barb Owdziej. “It seems like the complaints are getting more dangerous.”
Currently, only Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on the multi-use path. These are e-bikes with no throttle and top speeds of 20 mph.
“It’s not necessarily the type of bike, it’s really the behavior of the rider,” said Owdziej. “We’re not trying to eliminate users, just trying to make it safer.”
The temporary e-bike task force is set to be created over the next month, completing a full report for the city commission no later than December 21.
For more information on the current regulations throughout the City of Marquette, visit marquettemi.gov.
