Will e-bikes be allowed on trails and pathways in the city?
Mayor Mike Bradley said Sarnia council will vote on whether or not to endorse a one year pilot on Monday.
"We've seen such an enhanced use in the community of cycling and it's been growing," said Bradley. "It's grown with the Granfondo, it's grown with Cycling Without Age, and with the use for many different reasons, of e-bikes and other modes of transportation, it makes sense to me to try the bike [pilot program] for a year."
A survey launched in January, asking if e-bikes should be permitted, received close to 430 responses.
Mayor Bradley said one year should be enough time to determine if the idea can or cannot work in the long term.
"I know [opinions] are very mixed in the community, based on a survey that was done. I have my own views from watching on the waterfront. They need to be respectful of those who are walking and doing other activities on the waterfront. But, I do not see where we go wrong for a year trying to determine whether it can work in the long term," he said.
"This is the trend and there are some really good opportunities to make the waterfront, and to make the community more active. To engage people, to get them back after COVID, to be part of the community again," Bradley said. "I see this as a big step forward by doing that."
He said it's not just about recreational use.
"It's also an economic thing for a lot of people that can not afford an automobile. It gives them another way of getting around the community and we need to make it safe and we need to endorse that," he said.
Council is also being asked to direct staff to complete proposed raised cycle track lanes, on Wellington Street from Brock Street to Victoria Street, to enhance safety for active transportation.
Intersection improvements, with curb bump outs and lane reductions, are also recommended at the intersections of Wellington, Brock, and Vidal Streets.