COEUR d’ALENE, Idaho – Due to the increased popularity of electric bikes (e-bikes), the City of Coeur d’Alene received numerous inquiries about their use on city trails and recently issued a statement to clarify the city’s guidelines.
According to city officials, there are “valid concerns regarding the speed at which e-bikes travel and the potential danger they pose to other trail users.”
The State of Idaho has issued rules as to what type of e-bikes can be used on public trails, but allows local municipalities to modify those rules. The city has chosen to follow the state’s rules without change at this time. Therefore, e-bikes are allowed on all trails where mechanical bikes are allowed if they have pedals, however, they are limited to 15 miles per hour.
The city’s statement provided further information by stating, “regardless of what type of e-bike you have, the underlying issue is people going too fast and endangering others. E-bikes, and other e-equipment, give people the ability to easily exceed the speed limit on trails where other people are walking, pushing children in strollers, walking dogs, running, and otherwise recreating. Mixing people riding fast with these other users is dangerous. Almost all e-bikes can go faster than the posted 15 mph, that is the speed limit for all trail users. Speeding endangers others and speeders can be held liable for injuring other trail users. There are some people pushing to prohibit e-bikes so please be a good neighbor and ride your e-bikes responsibly to ensure the continued allowance of e-bikes on city trails.”
Additionally, city officials want to remind trail users that other electric equipment such as e-motorcycles (Surrons), e-scooters, e-mopeds, one wheeled skateboard, e-skateboards are not allowed on trails or in city parks. “Flying through a park and tearing up the grass so you can jump the lip of the trail is not allowed. Our parks are not ATV/motorcycle parks.”
Those with mobility related disabilities are allowed to use motorized wheelchairs and mobility scooters on trails and sidewalks, but must adhere to the 15 mile per hour speed limit.
Further clarification was given regarding bike lanes on city streets which allow e-bikes, including e-motorcycles provided that they are licensed, registered and you have a driver’s license or are accompanied by an adult. “In bike lanes, all users must follow the posted speed limit for vehicular traffic. So, if you find the trail speed limit too slow, use a bike lane. A word of caution, riding anything other than your feet on a sidewalk is dangerous. Many cities ban bikes from sidewalks because they are seven times more likely to get hit by a car than in the street. Sidewalks are behind the line of sight of most drivers, and they are not looking for bikes when trying to merge with traffic or entering a driveway. The faster you go, the more dangerous it becomes, so riding your e-equipment on sidewalks is a bad idea.”
The city also reminded the community that bikes of any kind (including pedal bikes) are prohibited on Tubbs Hill or the Fernan Natural Park, and only Canfield Natural Park/Cancourse allows both bikes and e-bikes.
Officials urge the public to use non-emergency police phone lines if they wish to report violations. Questions or concerns can be directed to the City of Coeur d’Alene Trails office at 208-292-5766 or via email at mmccully@cdaid.org.
