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A resolution calling for the Nashville Department of Transportation and Multimodal Infrastructure, the Greenways and Open Space Commission, and the Metro Legal Department to solicit community input and gather data from other cities regarding the authorization of electric bicycles on Metro greenways and to request a moratorium on any Council legislation related to electric bicycles on greenways until the community input and data can be collected.
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WHEREAS, the Greenways Commission was established in 1994 under Mayor Phil Bredesen with a goal of learning from other cities with successful greenway systems about how Nashville could expand our Parks System with linear parks connecting open spaces even as development was beginning to accelerate, and in 1995 the first greenway was built along the Harpeth River, followed by greenways at Shelby Bottoms, along the Stones River, and now Nashville has nearly 100 miles of greenways including two bridges used exclusively by pedestrians and cyclists over the Cumberland River; and
WHEREAS, Greenways are tremendously popular with Nashvillians and visitors of diverse backgrounds, ages, and athletic abilities, and were a major source of recreation, solace, and exercise during the past year of the restrictions due to the pandemic, and have been used by thousands of people every year since their creations; and
WHEREAS, Greenways offer mobility options for both recreation and commuting for both pedestrians and cyclists, which is an important piece of Nashville's multi-modal transportation plan; and
WHEREAS, Metro Park rules currently prohibit the use of motorized vehicles on Nashville Greenways and restrict speed of bicycles to 15 miles per hour, which is important for the safety and enjoyment of pedestrians on the Greenways; and
WHEREAS, there has been an increase in the number of electric assist bicycles (e-bikes) in Nashville including on Nashville Greenways, and there are different classes of e-bikes that distinguish...
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