TITLE
Recommendation to request City Attorney to amend Long Beach Municipal Code 10.38.020 (B) to expressly ban electric or motorized scooters, electric motorized boards (CVC 313.5), and throttle driven Class II and Class III electric bicycles (CVC 312.5), from the beach bicycle path while allowing for continued non-motorized use and lower speed pedal assisted Class I electric bicycles.
DISCUSSION
INTRODUCTION:
Currently Municipal Code 10.38.020 (B) states that "No operator of any motorized scooter shall drive the same upon any bike path on the beach or any bike path adjacent to a City marina."
Our beach bike path was designed with the goal of providing an opportunity for active exercise and recreation that is separate from motorized traffic. The city publicizes our beach bike path as an important piece of what makes Long Beach a city interested in health and supporting exercise in our residents and visitors.
With the recent implementation of the motorized scooter pilot program it is now important that the City be very clear with what is and is not allowed in this location.
The mobility trend of supporting scooter usage for short trips, and first/last mile commuting needs could have positive impacts for our City if they result in fewer cars on the road, and alternative options for residents to move efficiently through the City. However, the beach bike path is not a route that would provide more effective transportation for daily commutes, or for trips for goods or services. Allowing motorized scooters on the beach bike path would be purely people on recreational rides that would do nothing to take cars off the road, or yield more efficiency for travelers, while increasing congestion and potential public safety concerns on a path that was designed for safe low speed, non-motorized exercise.
With the heavy amount of usage on the beach bike path, the width of the bicycle path being only 6.5 feet in each direction, with the diversity of nonmotorized users...
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