City invites e-bikes and scooters onto trails

A cluster of city departments including Parks and Recreation, Public Works and the transportation and law departments have put their heads together to create a pilot program allowing electric bikes and motorized scooters on the following urban parkland trails in Austin:

• Johnson Creek
• Shoal Creek (south of 15th Street only)
• Northern Walnut Creek Trail
• Southern Walnut Creek Trail
• Ann and Roy Butler Hike and Bike Trail at Lady Bird Lake  (electric bikes only)
• The Boardwalk (electric bikes only)

All trail rules will still apply, including a speed limit of 10 mph. The city hopes that the pilot program will show whether the trails are suitable for electric-assist bikes and scooters. If things go smoothly, the city intends to craft recommendations related to potentially changing city code. Current code excludes the use of electric bikes and scooters on parkland trails and this rule will continue to be in effect on all trails that are not part of the pilot program. Learn more and express your opinion about the program at SpeakUp Austin.