Roanoke’s greenway rules state: "No motorized vehicles are allowed on Roanoke’s greenways, trails or parks. ADA-approved electronic personal mobility devices are allowed. E-bikes are not allowed." The city is considering revising that rule based on a new state law that goes into effect this summer. Battery-powered electronic bicycles could be zipping down Roanoke’s greenways and trails thanks to a state law that goes into effect July 1. Roanoke’s city council on Monday scheduled a public hearing for June 15 before devising whether the city should continue to ban the vehicles, which are commonly called e-bikes and can cruise at speeds up 20 to 28 mph. E-bikes are currently prohibited on Roanoke’s trails system, but a new state law that goes into effect July 1 would make it legal for people to ride the vehicles on shared paths such as the Roanoke River Greenway, Carvins Cove’s trails and other paths frequently used by walkers, runners, bicyclists and other users. The law would also allow localities to ban the e-bikes from public trails under certain conditions. During a Monday morning work session, Roanoke Parks and Recreation Director Michael Clark laid out the options. The new law places e-bikes into three different classifications: pedal-assisted, no-throttle bikes that can cruise at speeds up to 20 mph; bikes with no pedal assistance but with throttles that can reach 20 mph; and pedal-assisted, no-throttle bikes that can go up to 28 mph. Clark recommended that the city choose one of two courses of action. Either […]
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