HomeMy WebLinkAboutWS Item 02 - Segways WS ITEM#2
MEMO TO. HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER
MEETING DATE: MAY 21, 2013
SUBJECT: COUNCIL WORKSHOP—DISCUSS SEGWAYS, IN GRAPEVINE
AND THE STATE STATUTE
Earlier this year, Segway Fort Worth began operating paid, on and off road Segway tours
on the City trail system. At the time it was clear that we could prohibit off road of electric
vehicles, but it was less obvious as to what regulations could occur on a paved surface. It
is also our policy that when any for-profit group operates a service in the Lake Parks that
they have a contract with the City and pay some amount back t o t he City fort use of the
property. This is beneficial because it also helps us to leverage the contractor for the
benefit of all parties.
During the time we were working on a contractor agreement with Se Fort Worth, we
asked the City Attorney to further examine the State statute and the legislative intent of the
statute. After this analysis, the City Attorney determined that we can, in fact, regulate
Segways on hike and bike trails and sidewalks. The only place that we cannot regulate
Segways is on trails and lanes that are specifically designed for bikes (i.e. on road bike
lanes).
to will present two options to Council, the first restricts access to certain trails and the
second would prohibit Segways from hike and bike trails entirely.
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TO- Doug Evans, C r,Nrks and Recreation
via enwa a , e t
.Boyle, City y
via entaff attachmeAt
FROM, Matthew t.Butler,Assistant City Attomey
pplation of'" a ys"on City-Maintained r •.
This o addresses the issue of whether the City can regulate the operafion of electric personal
assistive-mobility , (pr- aye on its `ls.in
authorizing a of e a sidewalks • : 1997, lefislature. i : t
fidAmd tar regulations be applicable e
First, gas are Permitted l can t aside for the 1. five,operation€�
lessi"1 g not include paths biking and hildng.
Second.a biking and hiking it is not the same as a"path wt aside 1br bicycle&"T t tam
refers to designatod bicycle lanes or paths for .s o ti. — 11 . 4" le-toa yo„ e
support ` Trite ation,Tex.T ... See.551.201 is ` to of e.
Subtitle Cprovides e. o e t do r people o e ,an ii o not
applicable trails where its isio not enforceable.
Lastly,it was not the intent of the legislature to prov° . .: . s e, t to Operate p . their
devices on recreational trails. to .the ;.. 1997's o is o
for travel on"thoroughfares the bill was to provide"leo and regWatDry
structure for the introduction of new o 'en t olo ." (emphasis d .).The City's
trails are not thoroughfares or paths usW for the putposes of transportation.
Based on e aforementioned reasons,the City retains fidl prerogative to regulate e:of
Segw.ays on all City- .
f Tex.D . p.Code 551.2o1(b).
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