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Home My WebLink AboutVIII-15 Approve First Reading - Ordinance Amendment - Chapter 70.10 - Electric Assisted VehiclesCity Council Memorandum To: Mayor Fasbender and City Council Members From:David Wilske, Chief of Police Date:April 21, 2025 Item:1st Reading –E-Bike Ordinance adoption and bike trail speed limit update Council Action Requested: Approve the 1st reading for the E-Bike Ordinance (70.10) and updated speed limit for bicycles on Hastings Trails (94.04 and 94.09). Background Information: The Hastings City Council requested the Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) review and provide recommendations to the council regarding electric Assisted Bicycle use in the City of Hastings. PSAC completed their review and presented it to Hastings City Council.The PSAC also recommended reducing the speed limit on bike trails from 20 mph to 15 mph, which is identified in ordinance 94.04 and 94.09. Reducing the speed limit would align with the Dakota County trail speed limits and reduce incidents on the bicycle trails. The Hastings City Council generally supported these recommended changes to City Ordinances during discussion. The Hastings City Attorney drafted ordinance 70.10 for review based off recommendations from PSAC. Ordinances 70.10, 94.04 and 94.09 are included in your packets for review. Financial Impact: None Advisory Commission Discussion: None Council Committee Discussion: None Attachments: Ordinance 70.10 Ordinance 94.04 Ordinance 94.09 VIII-15 ORDINANCE NO. ___________ AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF HASTINGS, MINNESOTA, ENACTING HASTINGS CITY CODE CHAPTER 70.10 –ELECTRIC-ASSISTED BICYCLES The City Council of the City of Hastings, Dakota County, Minnesota, does hereby ordain as follows: SECTION 1. ENACTMENT. The Code of the City of Hastings, County of Dakota, State of Minnesota, Chapter 70.10, regarding electric-assisted bicycles shall be enacted as follows: 70.10 Electric Bicycles A.Purpose. The purpose of this section is to authorize the operation of electric-assisted bicycles on designated city streets in the City of Hastings pursuant to the authority given to the city by Minn. Stat. § 169.011, as it may be amended from time to time, now in effect. B.Definitions. For the purpose of this section, the following definitions shall apply unless the context clearly indicates or requires a different meaning. 1.Electric-assisted bicycle.As used in this chapter shall have the meaning specified in Minn. Stat. § 169.011, subd. 27, as amended. C.Designated Streets. A person shall be allowed to ride an electric-assisted bicycle on all city streets in the City of Hastings. D.Traffic Laws Apply. Every person riding an electric-assisted bicycle upon a roadway shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by this chapter, except as to the special regulations in this chapter and except as those provisions of this chapter which by their nature have no application. E.Operation Requirements. 1.Single File, Right Hand Lane. No person shall ride an electric-assisted bicycle on the portion of any right of way of any street, except single file, on the most right-hand lane when available for traffic or as close as practical to the right- hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when passing a vehicle stopped in that lane. 2.Speed Limit. The speed limit should apply as follows: a.No person shall ride an electric-assisted bicycle at a speed above the posted speed limit on any given city street or roadway. VIII-15 b.No person shall ride an electric-assisted bicycle on City of Hastings Park and Bike trails at a speed in excess of fifteen (15) miles per hour. 3.Sidewalks and Paved Walkways. No person shall ride an electric-assisted bicycle on public sidewalks except when necessary to enter or leave adjacent property. 4.Permit Not Required. A permit is not required to be obtained from the City for a person to ride an electric-assisted bicycle in the City of Hastings. 5.Age Requirement.Any person who desires to ride an electric-assisted bicycle pursuant to this section must be at least fifteen (15) years of age in accordance with Minnesota law. 6.Lighting and Brake Equipment. All electric-assisted bicycles being operated in the City of Hastings pursuant to this section shall be equipped with a proper working lamp on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front and a proper working lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear. F.Recommended Equipment. It is recommended that a person riding an electric-assisted bicycle wear a helmet and eye protection, however, it is not required. G.Insurance. It is recommended that a person riding an electric-assisted bicycle obtain any applicable insurance policies, however, it is not required. H.Violations. Any person violating the terms of this section shall, upon conviction for any such violation, be found guilty of a misdemeanor and punished through the fines and penalties established in city code. Violations of this code may also result in traffic citations. SECTION 2. SUMMARY PUBLICATION. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 412.191, in the case of a lengthy ordinance, a summary may be published. While a copy of the entire ordinance is available without cost at the office of the City Clerk, the following summary is approved by the City Council and shall be published in lieu of publishing the entire ordinance. The text adopted by the Hastings City Council on _________________, 2025 enacts a City Ordinance to allow the City to regulate electric-assisted bicycles. SECTION 3. EFFECTIVE DATE.This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication according to law. Passed this _____ day of _______________, 2025. VIII-15 Attest: ________________________________________________________ Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk VIII-15 ORDINANCE NO. ___________ AN ORDINANCE FOR THE CITY OF HASTINGS, MINNESOTA, AMENDING HASTINGS CITY CODE CHAPTERS 94.04 –VEHICLES AND 94.09 –UNLAWFUL ACTS The City Council of the City of Hastings, Dakota County, Minnesota, does hereby ordain as follows: SECTION 1. AMENDMENT. The Code of the City of Hastings, County of Dakota, State of Minnesota, Chapters 94.04 and 94.09, regarding speed limits in parks and on trails shall be amended as follows: 94.04 Vehicles It is unlawful to drive, park, or leave a motorized vehicle, including a motorized recreational vehicle on park property, public recreational trails, or public athletic fields, except in areas designated by the City, within the posted speed limits. If no speed limit is posted, then no motorized vehicle may exceed 20 15 mph. Public safety and maintenance vehicles, and vehicles of contractors engaged by the City or the County are exempt form from the provisions of this subsection. 94.09 Unlawful Acts It is unlawful in any park or person to: 1.Bring into, use or discard any glass or glass containers in a City park. 2.Build or maintain a recreational fire in any park except in places or facilities provided by the City. 3.Disturb or interfere with any birds, animals, animal habitat, or nesting area in a park. 4.Damage, remove, alter, injure or destroy park property, including natural resources. 5.Be in possession of any explosive or other similar device, unless authorized in writing by the City. 6.Discharge any pollutants into any body of water in any park. 7.Feed waterfowl. 8.Vaporize or smoke nicotine, tobacco or cannabis products. A violation of this subsection shall be a petty misdemeanor with a fine of $100. 9.Ride any vehicle on trails at speeds in excess of 20 15 mph. SECTION 2: SUMMARY PUBLICATION. Pursuant to Minnesota Statutes Section 412.191, in the case of a lengthy ordinance, a summary may be published. While a copy of the entire ordinance is available without cost at the Office of the City Clerk, the following summary is approved by the City Council and shall be published in lieu of publishing the entire ordinance. The text amendments adopted by the Hastings City Council on ______________, 2025 amends the City Ordinance regulating the speed limit of motorized vehicles in City Parks. SECTION 3: EFFECTIVE DATE.This ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and publication according to law. Passed this __________ day of _____________, 2025. Passed this ______ day of _______________, 2025. Attest: ________________________________________________________ Mary D. Fasbender, Mayor Kelly Murtaugh, City Clerk