FBCC divided on use of e-bikes on Egans Creek Greenway

Submitted by Suanne Z. Thamm
Reporter – News Analyst
April 22, 2021

 

The debate over allowing e-bikes on Egans Creek Greenway trails continued at the April 20, 2021 Regular Meeting of the Fernandina Beach City Commission (FBCC).  Commissioners approved an amended Ordinance 2021-02 on a 3-2 vote at Fourth Reading.  Because changes were made to the Ordinance, it will require at least a Fifth Reading before it can be enacted.

The Florida Legislature passed an updated bill in its 2020 session related to electric bicycle (e-bike) use. E-bikes are now defined as a “bicycle or tricycle equipped with fully operable pedals, a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, and an electric motor of less than 750 watts” which fit in to one of three classifications.

The new law essentially removed the distinction between traditional bikes and electric bikes.  The newly defined e-bikes “shall be afforded all the rights and privileges, and be subject to all of the duties, of a bicycle or the operator of a bicycle,” and is a vehicle to the same extent as a bicycle. E-bikes can also be operated anywhere a bicycle can be operated, including bike lanes, streets, sidewalks, and other multi-use paths. E-bikes are no longer required to be registered with the state, and riders do not need to take out auto insurance or be licensed with the state in any way.

Following considerable debate and public input, the Ordinance has morphed from its original intent of prohibiting e-bikes on the Greenway to allowing pedal assist e-bikes and recommending a speed limit of 10 mph for all bikes traversing the Greenway.

The City Commission approved this Ordinance at First Reading on January 19, 2021, and requested changes at subsequent readings.  The next reading is scheduled for May 18, 2021.

The Debate

Commissioners and the public are divided in their opinions regarding the benefits of allowing e-bikes on the Greenway.  Members of the public have spoken out on both sides of the argument, with some strongly advocating e-bikes as a means to open up enjoyment of the Greenway to less physically able visitors, while others believe that increased bicycle traffic of any sort is damaging to pedestrians, the wildlife and vegetation.

Commissioners have attempted to resolve the differences of opinion by setting a maximum speed limit of 10 mph for wheeled vehicles and limiting the type of e-bike permitted to those that are pedal assisted.  To date, these amendments have not been sufficient to produce a unanimous vote among commissioners.

Notably, Vice Mayor Len Kreger and Commissioner Chip Ross have continued in opposition citing the unenforceability of a speed limit, the treacherousness of some of the paths, and the potential damage to the Greenway itself by increased bicycling.

Vice Mayor Kreger reminded Commissioners and audience members that the citizens of Fernandina Beach had voted to acquire lands for the Greenway to create a passive recreation area.  Bicycles were allowed, and illegal mountain bike trails were cut into the Greenway, which the City allowed to stay.  Kreger, who admits to visiting the Greenway at least five times a week for an hour each visit, noted that he doesn’t see birds any more during his visits.  Kreger expressed his belief that e-bikes would be an environmental disaster to the Greenway and that safety of pedestrians would be compromised.  “We can make the case either way,” he said.  “We can ban e-bikes or un-ban them.  We need to be careful or we will destroy [the Greenway] for those people who want to go out there to enjoy nature.”

Commissioner David Sturges noted that there has not been a single instance of anyone being hurt on the Greenway by an e-bike.  “I think this is ridiculous,” he said.  “I don’t think there is anyway e-bikes can damage the Greenway.  I will not vote in support of anything eliminating e-bikes from the Greenway.”

Commissioner Bradley Bean said, “I don’t think the City should be in the business of giving up our freedoms.  This is the United States of America.  I don’t want to pick and choose which day of the week you should be allowed to use your e-bike on the Greenway.  I don’t want to pick where you can or can’t ride your e-bike around town.  I believe that the Greenway is one of the biggest treasures we have on Amelia Island.  I need to make sure that our most vulnerable population who depend on e-bikes have the same opportunity to enjoy the Greenway as anybody else.”

Mayor Mike Lednovich said that e-bikes are not cheap and are used by people with physical limitations.  “I cannot bring myself to deny the use of the Greenway to those people,” he said.  He was willing to prohibit the non-pedal Class 3 e-bikes that can travel up to 30 mph, which he believed had no place on the Greenway.  Lednovich went on to say that regular bicyclists can travel up to 20 mph.  “So don’t tell me that bicyclists going 22 mph will not do any damage,” he said.

Lednovich continued.  “We need speed limits, but no one is going to enforce them, because no [Police] are going to be out there.  But we can put up signs.”

After some discussion Commissioners eliminated reference to classes of e-bikes to be allowed,  instead authorizing only “pedal assisted” e-bikes and not allowing throttle only bikes.

The vote on the amended Ordinance passed on a 3-2 vote, with Commissioners Bean and Ross voting in opposition.

The Ordinance will return for a Fifth Reading on May 18, 2021.

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Robert Warner
Robert Warner (@guest_60873)
2 years ago

Len Kreger understands the issues involving e-bikes on the Greenway. There will be no Greenway should the passive use concept be disregarded.

Betsie Huben
Betsie Huben(@betsie-huben)
2 years ago

A fifth reading? Really? This should be a no brainer but, okay…. Just because Commissioner Sturges “doesn’t think there is any way e-bikes can damage the Greenway”, does not mean he is correct. That is his opinion which he fails to support with any facts. Likewise, Mayor Lednovich should be aware that anyone wishing to access the Greenway with a mobility issue can do it through our Parks and Rec department. For individuals with an access challenge, a 2-person GEM electric car is available for reservation/use over at the Atlantic Recreation Center. Problems already solved! With regard to Mr. Bean’s comment, perhaps he needs a refresher on what “rights” we citizens have had up to this point. The Greenway was always designated as a “passive” park space which was to be “preserved and protected” as documented in the language of the grant that gave us the Greenway in the first place. Motorized vehicles have never been allowed except for the GEM car to get us ADA compliant. In disallowing e-bikes the Commission is not taking away any “freedom” from our citizens. Not allowing e-bikes is simply upholding and maintianing the policy that has been in place since the inception of the Greenway. As Mr. Kreger has noted, the birds are already gone. If we add more traffic, particularly traffic where no enforcement is practical or possible, what species will disappear next? The 10 mph speed limit will never be enforced and is merely lip service to try to appease those who anticipate the future issues if e-bikes are allowed. The request today is for e-bikes. If e-bikes are permitted, what motorized option will be next? We live on the most bike-friendly island I have ever been to. As our elected officials, the FBCC has an obligation to obey the founding principles of the grant and preserve, protect and maintain the passive nature of the Greenway as it was originally established. The goal has not changed. E-bikes are not new. There are plenty of approved paths e-bikes can use. Only the request to use them on the Greenway is new. As evidenced by both current global and local concerns for climate, sustainability and resilience, Mother Earth does not need less protection; she needs and deserves more. Just because you can do something does not mean you should. Stop the shenanigans. Do the right thing. Leave the Greenway green and maybe we can figure out how to get the birds to come back.

John Goshco
John Goshco (@guest_60876)
2 years ago

” I don’t want to pick where you can or can’t ride your e-bike around town. “

And yet there are laws against rollerblades and skateboards downtown. Hmmm.

Medardo Monzon
Medardo Monzon(@mmonzon)
2 years ago

Commissioner Bean’s remarks are absurd. Regulations are needed in a society to clarify acceptable and unacceptable behaviors. A free-for-all attitude leads to chaos. His job is to help set city policy when there are differing points of view. Is he going to propose allowing ATV and trucks to drive in the Greenway using the same “freedom” argument?

Jeff Goldstein.
Jeff Goldstein. (@guest_63090)
2 years ago

I am 70 years old and my wife and I love to ride our ebikes. I rode non powered bikes for the last 60 years and now ride a class 3 ebike. Just because it has the ability to provide pedal assist up to 28 mph doesn’t mean that I go at that speed unless I am on a road where the speed limit permits it. Please don’t ban any ebikes. Just treat all ebikes exactly the same as non powered bikes. If someone operates any bike whether it is powered or not in a reckless or careless manner prosecute them but otherwise leave the rest of bike and ebike riders alone.