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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />November 12, 2013 <br /> <br />CONTACT: Lee Shoemaker, Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator, 541-682-5471. <br /> <br />From Public Information Section, 541-682-5523 or 541-954-2938 <br /> <br />FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE <br /> <br />Comments Sought on Proposals to Change Skateboard, Bike Laws <br /> <br />The City of Eugene will hold a public open house on Monday, Nov. 18, from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the <br />Eugene Public Library Bascom-Tykeson Room, 100 W. 10 Ave., to present three proposed changes to <br />th <br />City bike and skateboard laws. The session will include a staff presentation followed by questions and <br />comments from the public. <br />Proposal 1: Allow electric assisted bicycles to be ridden on off-street shared use paths. <br />Currently, city code does not allow electric assisted bicycles to be ridden on off-street shared-use paths <br />with the electric assist device engaged although electric bikes are considered bicycles under state law. <br />Eugene’s prohibition is inconsistent with other cities in Oregon. Electric assist bicycles are increasingly <br />popular because they allow users to travel for longer distances, carry more cargo on their bikes, and to <br />get an extra boost when needed. <br />Proposal 2: Expand the downtown bicycle and skateboard “no sidewalk riding” zone to cover <br />new areas where pedestrian safety concerns have been expressed by the public. Several alternative <br />zones will be presented for consideration inside the area bounded by 6 Avenue, High Street, 13 <br />thth <br />Avenue and Charnelton Street. This proposal is intended to improve public safety in high-pedestrian <br />areas. <br />Proposal 3: Allow skateboards to be ridden on city streets. Currently, skateboards cannot be <br />ridden in the portion of a street designated for automobile traffic, except when crossing a street in a <br />crosswalk or at a right angle. Skateboarding is currently completely prohibited in areas of downtown <br />Eugene and near the University of Oregon, where it is also banned on the sidewalks. This proposal <br />would make skateboarding a more viable transportation option especially in areas where it is illegal to <br />ride in the street and on the sidewalk. Skateboarding is increasing as a travel option, and the new WJ <br />Skate Park will generate more demand for skateboarding from current residents and visitors from out <br />of the area. <br />The public input received at this open house will be used to help determine what changes to the <br />code will be recommended to the City Council at a work session in 2014.For more information about <br /> <br />the open house or these proposals, contact Bicycle Pedestrian Coordinator Lee Shoemaker at <br />lee.shoemaker@ci.eugene.or.us or 541-682-5471. <br /># # # <br /> <br />Public Works Administration ● City of Eugene ● 101 E. Broadway, Suite 400, Eugene, OR 97401 <br />Phone 541-682-8421 ● Fax 541-682-6826 ● www.eugene-or.gov/pw <br />