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

I frequently use the Ann and Roy Butler Trail, roughly 3+ times a week. There has been no enforcement of the scooter rules on the trail. I have encountered scooters since they showed up in Austin. Many scooter riders are courteous, but they can be moving at high speed, are often weaving through pedestrian traffic, and have potential to behave without regard to any trail rules. I would prefer that they are kept off the trails.

Escooters have absolutely no business on our beautiful trails in Austin. There are too many walkers with children and pets to add scooters to the narrow paths. It will be dangerous. It's bad enough trying to walk with speeding cyclists whizzing by. No, No, No. I already see the scooters blasting down our Austin sidewalks 3-abreast! How would you ever monitor the trails? Please reconsider!!

Please do not allow electric scooters on any trails. It would demean the entire experience. Thank you.

As long as regular bicycles are permitted to operate in a certain area, then there is zero reason to discriminate any other personal mode of transport (electric motor or not) from also operating in the same area. The size, weight, and speed are the only factors that matter than it comes to safely sharing trail space, and as long as the vehicle is no bigger, no heavier, and no faster than a regular bicycle, then they should be allowed in the same areas as bicycles.

We're a city of a million+ people, I understand that some people don't want or understand that and are resistant to change, but we should not let those voices stop progress. I can think of no valid reason that a scooter or any kind should be restricted from any area of Austin that a bicycle is not also restricted.

People who want to restrict one but not the other, simply are having a knee jerk reaction to the new without thinking it through (and probably have the luxury of living near by)

The Town Lake Hike and Bike Trail is the heart of Austin. It's ridiculous to consider allowing e-anything on it or any other trail, just because unaccountable businesses have forced them on the City. And no amount of education or signs will change the habits of riders who are underage, break speed limits, or tourists who pop-in and leave. Instead of considering allowing them on trails, the City should develop policies to deter them.

I cannot believe Parks & Recreation are allowing electric scooters on Austin trails, even as a pilot project. The trails are cherished green space used by thousands of walkers, runners, strollers, pets, children every day. Why would anyone endanger people with motorized vehicle?! Why would people want a motorized vehicle on these beautiful, natural trails? There's already plenty of controversy about these scooters on our roads and sidewalks. This pilot project is totally asinine!

I would take the poll, but couldn't you make it so you can have more than one answer? I do all of the top 3: run/jog, walk/hike, bicycle. I think many if not most people use the trail in more than one way.

I would love to be able to use e-scooters and e-bikes for my daily commute on the hike and bike trail! It's a beautiful way to start my day! Rider education and etiquette is certainly important when near pedestrians. Keep it up parks and rec!

Please please PLEASE do NOT allow the e-scooters/bikes on the trails! There are already enough etiquette problems without them. Not to mention, people don't even know how to properly & safely ride them on the streets, so what on earth makes COA think they'll do it on trails. This is a big mistake in the making w/the potential for more bad behavior & interactions among users, as well as accidents. Good grief, COA, please don't do this!!! Signed a 20 yr Austinite who loves her city.

Trails really need to be lit up. Austin's getting too big for them not to be lit.