Agenda Item No: L.2
AGENDA REPORT
DATE: February 4, 2025
TO: Mayor and Council
FROM: David Gassaway, City Manager
SUBJECT: Electric Bike Usage in Rockville Hills Regional Park
Proposed Revisions to Ordinance 2020-04: Guidelines for Electric Bike (E-bike) Usage in Rockville Hills Regional Park
Funding Source: N/A
Contact: Gary Sponsler, (707) 428-7416
RECOMMENDED ACTION
Receive report and provide direction to staff.
STATEMENT OF ISSUE
The City Council established the Rockville Citizens Advisory Committee (RCAC) and RCAC Guidelines by Resolution No. 2007 -319 in November 2007. The RCAC’s purpose is to assist the City in making major decisions that affect the Rockville Hills Regional Park (Park).
In early 2023, the council requested RCAC to provide a recommendation regarding the use of electric bikes (e-bikes) in the park.
DISCUSSION
The 633-acre Park is located on Rockville Road west of Suisun Valley Road. The Park serves a variety of local and visiting users, including walkers, hikers, runners, bicyclists, and outdoor enthusiasts. Additionally, the Park serves as an educational oasis , often hosting a variety of students and youth organizations.
Due to the delicate nature of the single -track trail systems in the Park that created unsafe conditions for fellow trail users, the council authorized an update to amend Chapter 12B (Parks and Recreation) of the Fairfield Municipal Code to prohibit the riding or operating of e -bikes in the Park in March 2020 by Ordinance No. 2020-04.
In early 2023, the council requested RCAC to revisit the use of e -bikes in the Park based on increased interest and advocacy from some residents and park users. Though RCAC historically meets quarterly, special meetings were held to start discussions towards developing a recommendation.
The following efforts assisted RCAC in formulating their recommendation, t hough RCAC welcomes discussion with the council to fully formulate their final recommendation:
Creating and distributing a park user preference survey, with an emphasis on questions regarding allowing e-bike usage.
o Nearly 1,400 responses, which are summarized in the findings in Attachment 2. Interviews with directors from Skyline Wilderness Park (Napa County) and East Bay Regional Park District (Alameda and Contra Costa Counties) to understand expected vs. actual impact.
o Both organizations currently allow Class 1 e-bikes in their parks. Listened to community comments during RCAC meetings.
Significant dialog amongst the seven-member committee.
RCAC could not come to a unanimous decision on allowing e -bikes. However, they did decide to recommend to council three options for allowing e-bikes into the Park:
1. Allow class 1 e-bikes into the Park.
2. Allow class 1 e-bikes into the Park if minimum staffing is available.
3. Allow class 1 e-bikes into the Park contingent on securing funding of Management Plan.
Staff Response to RCAC Recommendations:
Staff agrees with the three RCAC recommended options.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Currently, there are no budgeted recommendations and , therefore, no anticipated financial impacts.
PUBLIC CONTACT/ADVISORY BODY RECOMMENDATION
Community engagement was conducted at a variety of touchpoints, including a visitor survey, and presentations from two other entities.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION
Staff is seeking council direction. The council may also choose not to act at this time.
COORDINATED WITH
N/A
STAFF CONTACT
Gary Sponsler, Landscape Maintenance Manager
(707) 428-7416
[email protected]
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment 2: Ordinance 2020-04
Attachment 3: Summarized Survey Results