E-bikes and E-scooters on Austin Trails Pilot Program

Too many e-scooters are left along the trail - even though prohibited - and can be tripped over.

Bicyclist and e-scooters frequently ride well over 10 MPH and need a monitor on the trail to give out tickets .

E-scooters still on the trails where prohibited. E-Scooter companies should be automatically fined when scooters are on prohibited trails (and they can pass along fines to riders). Even better - require e-scooter companies to shut down scooters based on GPS.

When it comes to actually being ridden, there is no difference between an e-scooter and bike. There is no need to prevent e-scooter enthusiasts and competent riders (who may be taking a car off the road) from riding on the trails. Both bikes and scooters can move too fast, be obstructive, etc. If bikes are allowed and up to the riders' responsibility, the same should apply. I can see that parking them on the trail should be outlawed, and would probably lessen the # of clumsy "casual" riders.

Certain E-mobility devices are legalized by the State Legislature and by US Congress. Texas has legislation that states that e-mobility devices that meet certain criteria are legal anywhere pedestrians or bicycles are legal. A Segway or a OneWheel fit into that category. E-bikes and E-scooters do not. I have won in court in 3 other states and if I get ticketed in Austin (while riding my OneWheel), I will go to court and will win again here.

A 10 -12 mph speed limit for bicycles may be appropriate on city trails and it may also be appropriate for parts of the South Walnut Creek trail heavily used by pedestrians, say within a mile or two of Govalle Park. A 10 mph speed limit on all of the South Walnut creek trail is not appropriate. Either it will not be enforced, in which case it will be ignored, or it will be enforced, which will drive most current cyclists off of the trail onto the streets. A 15-18 mph speed limit is about right.

There is a confusion at Walnut Creek Metro Park. Hoverboards believe they are allowed on the natural surface trails. They are allowed on the Northern Walnut Creek Trail. The names are similar but they are different trail systems. Natural surface trails need to be stated as an exclusion to avoid the confusion. I was hiking and a train of 30 hover boards passed me on the natural surface trails within the park.

I really like the speed limits and the ban on scooters on the Butler trail. On weekends, it gets really crowed and fast scooters and bikes can be an issue. So, I would like the proposed new trail rules to be made permanent. But, for this to work, the City needs to enforce the rules. I rarely see bikes go 10 miles an hour and I still see scooters every time I use the trail. If the city would enforce for a week or so, the word would get out that everyone needs to obey the new rules.

I use the Butler hike-and-bike trail the most frequently. The 10 MPH limit seems low (and as someone else pointed out, arbitrary). 15 MPH is more realistic. I would accept 10 MPH in congested areas, like Auditorium Shores, the various SUP/kayak rental places, and during the evenings by Congress bridge, but for the entire trail it is too restrictive. E-scooters/bikes don't bother me, although I have never used either. I think they reduce traffic congestion.

I feel that electric scooters should be banned entirely in Austin, as Fredericksburg recently did. They are dangerous and very unsightly!

There is no valid reason for having e-scooters or e-bikes on the town lake trail. I have been running on the trial for over 15 years and it is getting too congested with just the runners. I have seen collisions with bikes and runners/walkers. Adding scooters would triple+ that problem. FAQ The hike and bike trail is crushed granite. Scooters are having wrecks in Austin even on paved roads. Adding a slick surface will just make it worse. Runners/walkers will get hurt. Don't allow it.

In principal, I have no problem with e-bikes and scooters. But they are littered all over the place. They are an eye sore. Scooters should either not be allowed on trails, should not be allowed to be dumped on trails, or should be picked up in less than an hour. They are no better than dumping piles of trash all around Austin.

Would you consider drawing a distinction between owner-operated electric transports and rental electric transports? It seems to me that this is an attitude and etiquette problem, not a problem with the mode of transport. Owner-operated electric transports are typically more mindful of others and less prone to accidents, owing to more practice. There is also zero chance that their transport would be left to clutter the curb and trails, which is the chief complaint I see regarding e-scooters.

Please do not lump Onewheels in with rentable e-scooters. You cannot rent a Onewheel, thus you will never see Onewheels left unattended on trails and sidewalks, one of the main complaints about e-scooters. Also, because you own and must have skill to ride a Onewheel, we are more often careful and courteous as we care deeply about this new form of clean transportation. The Onewheel has also saved lives in the fight against mental health issues. All I ask is for an open mind and self-education.

Not only are the e-scooters all over the Ann & Roy B. Trail, we just noticed one that was tossed right into the Waller Creek just under the hike’s steel bridge near the creek’s storm water spillway ! Enforcement appears to be non-existent AND the awfully small signs now placed randomly on the trail do not properly emphasize that e-scooters are NOT allowed. The continual use of e-scooters on this trail will no doubt bring many injuries once the weather warms and hordes of people hit the trail.

Discourteous and dangerous trail users already exist. Let ebike and escooter users access the same trails for recreation and mobility that we all use. For many it's that, or a car, or not being able to get around. Also, the messaging is not clear in regard to the speed limit. Is SWCT now a hike and bike trail? If it was, why was the speed limit never signed as required in the ordinance? 10 mph is an arbitrary and impracticable speed for bicycles on a paved trail.

Riding an ebike has become my best form of recreation and exercise as I have grown older and have more pain in my feet, knees and hips. Without an ebike I might not be able to access the hike & bike trail as time goes by. I am more than happy to abide by a 10 mph speed limit and other reasonable rules in order to ride my ebike on the trail. Thanks for including me in the pilot program.

I tried taking the survey and it seems very "rigged" (i.e. purposefully directed and influence by political staffers, not created by a neutral professional polling organization or any neutral organization). Thus, I believe any so-called data obtained via the survey, quick poll, etc is moot and void. Austin's outdoor spaces are disappearing & being ruined, quickly. Non-human propelled (i.e. elec.) vehicles have no place on the trails. Music is blared in the woods. No nature escape left in Austin.

I have used the hike and bike trail (now called the Ann and Roy Butler Trail) for 20 years. Please start enforcing the no scooter rule during this pilot program as they are all over the trail. I have seen groups of scooter riders up to 15 people and seen and taken photos of countless scooters left on the trail. Also longterm prohibit all motorized scooters and bikes.

glad find the information ini here
https://www.speakupaustin.org

I hope this program can well done

I understand my opinion is biased, but I believe most cyclists are invested and experienced in their sport and therefore can be expected to be more aware of proper trail etiquette. People on dock-less scooters have almost no investment and basically no experience before taking a scooter for a spin. I'm more concerned about the ease of access to the actual dirt trails at Northern Walnut Creek where I have already seen scooters and other e-vehicles exploring the dirt trails violating park rules.

I would love to use the Ann and Roy Butler trail to commute with an electric scooter/vehicle. It is much safer for me than using Cesar Chavez or the sidewalks on Cesar Chavez.

I have yet to hear any good arguments for why bikes are somehow less dangerous than scooters. Seems to me that bikes can go faster, are larger, and collisions would be more dangerous due to how high the riders are. Seems like a bias / fear of new technology, and in Austin? Really? I thought we were better than that.