Auburn E-Scooter and Bike Community Meeting Well Attended

A meeting was held at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, July 20 in the Auburn City Council chambers to discuss the quickly growing trend of electronic scooters and bicycles with community members and city officials. The meeting was led by Katy Billings and City Administrator Crystal Dunekacke and was attended by city officials, including Mayor Chris Erickson, as well as many community members, children who ride said electronic vehicles and their parents. 
Because of the attendance by the mayor and a few city council members, the open meeting’s act was read off and a roll call performed. There was no quorum, however, and no formal action was taken during the meeting. Instead, Billings and Dunekacke and Julie Harris, a representative of Bike/Walk Nebraska, led the discussions on safety for both children riding the vehicles, for pedestrians and automobile drivers who may interact with said riders. 
Auburn City Rec Complex
It was noted by Dunekacke that signs are being installed  around the walking and biking trail surround the complex to better accommodate  riders, as well as designate the directions walkers and riders should take while using the trail. Riders of any sort of vehicle, electronic or not, will need to ride around the trail in a counter clockwise fashion, and walkers will follow the path clockwise to ensure visibility and order for everyone enjoying the trail. Dunekacke also said that new bike racks will be installed at the entrance to the ball parks and it was made very clear that no vehicles, electronic or otherwise, were allowed beyond the gate that opened into the baseball/softball fields. 
Auburn City Streets and Sidewalks
Following discussion of the recreational complex, the children in attendance were given maps of Auburn’s streets and asked to highlight their most-ridden routes. It is the hope of Billings and Dunekacke that by knowing what routes and destinations are most often taken, various safety measures can be implemented to keep those streets safe for riders. These measures might include additional stop signs or signs drawing attention to the frequency with which scooters and bikes take said roads. 
Harris said that many communities and the state as a whole are seeing an increase in popularity for the electronic vehicles and that many communities are working on rules and regulations concerning them. She also noted that the state legislature will likely discuss regulation for  scooters and bikes in the next session. 
Open Forum
The last third of the meeting allowed attendees to comment on topics of the meeting. The first major point of conversation was the benefits of the electronic scooters and bikes. These included being outside with friends instead of cooped up in front of a television or cell phone, teaching responsibility and independence for those who might have time-sensitive activities and no one to give them a ride in a car, and creating proactive community members who are social and part of the community in general. 
Another topic focused on the safety concerns surrounding the vehicles. Many people at the meeting emphasized the importance of proper riding etiquette and adherence to the rules of the road, as well as how those driving cars and trucks should be very aware and defensive in their driving. Deputy Jon Neeman from the Nemaha County Sheriff’s department explained that, typically, the least-protected driver would have the right-of-way at an intersection. Because these electronic vehicles are considered vehicles when they are on the road, they should be given priority when meeting a car or truck at an intersection.
 Near the end of the meeting there were a few citizens who voiced concerns and complaints about the riders, noting experiences that they witnessed the riders acting irresponsibly or recklessly. It was agreed by most of those in attendance that riders should obey the rules of the road and respect the property of others. A few ideas were brought up then on how to ensure the riders knew the best practices of the road, including a safety course or a night-time curfew with which they need to abide by. While there was no official action taken at the meeting, it was stated that the electronic scooters and bikes would be discussed further at the upcoming City Council meeting.