Santa Clara Community Organization – Eugene

From the City of Eugene,

EPD is stepping up enforcement, and we want to prevent injuries on our streets and amazing multi-use paths.

DIFFERENT BIKES, DIFFERENT RULES

Not all e-bikes are legal e-bikes. If it goes faster than 20 MPH without pedaling, it’s an e-moto and is not allowed anywhere except private property and some OHV trails. Make sure you know what kind of device you are buying, as some e-motos are mislabeled as e-bikes. Follow all rules and regulations for your device.

• E-motos: E-motos are not allowed to be operated in any pathway, park, or bike anywhere reserved for bicycle/pedestrian use. E-motos are almost always considered motorcycles or mopeds. As such, they can be subject to requirements of licensing, endorsement, registration, insurance, and ultimately subject to impound or seizure if used improperly. The existence of pedals does not mean the vehicle is an e-bike, as some e-motos have pedals.
• E-Bike: In Oregon, e-bikes are not considered motor vehicles, have working pedals and cannot go faster than 20 MPH without pedaling (by using a throttle). Some e-bikes can reach 28 MPH, but only by pedaling and having the motor help.   Some retailers may mislabel an e-moto as an e-bike.

E-motos, e-bikes, and electric powered scooters have become more common in Eugene. So too, have complaints and safe-use concerns, especially about e-motos being used on bike paths, sidewalks and on roadways, where they are not allowed. In fact, e-motos are only allowed to be ridden on private property and designated Off Highway Vehicle (OHV) areas.

Regardless of what you ride, the speed limit on bike paths is 20 MPH. When others are present, the suggested speed is 12 MPH (or slower). and this applies to all path users. 

Please note: E-motos are in the same category as motorized dirt bikes, which are not allowed on streets unless they comply with motor vehicle equipment and the rider has a motorcycle endorsement.

Eugene Police Department has installed a new reporting tool to MyPDConnect to track complaints and pinpoint locations where illegal e-moto and e-bike/e-scooter behavior is happening.

 You can report e-motos, speeding, and reckless behavior anywhere in Eugene at MyPDConnect:  Eugene Police Department Online Reporting – MyPDConnect

The main topics for the June 4th meeting are:

1. Better Eugene Springfield Transportation (BEST) will share its findings from the last 8 months of outreach about transportation challenges, opportunities, and improvements needed along River Road.  Before they formally report back to the City of Eugene and LTD, they’d like to share their tentative results and listen to your reflections. 45 minutes
2. Summer fun opportunities in Santa Clara for kids and the kid in all of us.  Plan for neighborhood adventure and love where you live! 45 minutes

Before the presentations, we will have:
Introductions, announcements, updates, and minutes approval (20 minutes)
A call for volunteers for the July 18th Santa Clara Community Park Grand Opening and the August 2nd concert in Awbrey Park

SCCO June meeting
Thursday, June 4 · 7:00 – 8:00 pm
3280 River Road (Messiah Lutheran Church)
Google Meet joining info Video call link: https://meet.google.com/zkq-cjpc-tjv 
Or dial: ‪(US) +1 443-671-4783‬ PIN: ‪522 542 895‬#

• WE NEED YOU!!
  SCCO and River Road Community Organization (RRCO) are beginning implementation of the Neighborhood plan that so many neighbors helped develop. Now it’s time to roll up your sleeves and help make it happen.  We have formed a Neighborhood Implementation Planning Committee (NPIC) with membership from both River Road and Santa Clara to jumpstart this process. 
  
  We began with a transportation forum in February to hear what projects are in the works for our area and to share neighborhood priorities with the City and the County. In May, we did the same for Parks and Natural Resources. We are scheduling the other three topic area forums in the fall (September, October, and November). In preparation, we need to get busy planning this summer.

 THIS IS WHERE YOU COME IN

Neighbors who are interested in Land Use, Economic Development, and Community building can help identify neighborhood priorities, recruit allies and stakeholders to work in these areas, and create the agendas for the forums. We will continue to collaborate with the City of Eugene and Lane County throughout the work, but we need residents to lead the way.  Ideally, there will be a few folks interested in each topic area who will form a small team to do that work.

Help guide the future of your neighborhood! Work in concert with other neighbors and service providers, and make tangible change. To participate, please contact either Kate Perle (fccf@efn.org, SCCO Chair) or Beth Gerot (bethgerot@gmail.com, RRCO co-chair). 

          If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, let’s go together.

 Upcoming events: 

JULY 9th Arrowhead Park game night. 5:30-7:30

JULY 18th – Santa Clara Community Park Grand Opening.  Live music, pet parade, games, food trucks, community building (Want to help? Contact Kate Perle fccf@efn.org

AUG 2nd concert in Awbrey Park.  Live music, games, food trucks, community booths.  (Want to help at the concert? Contact Terri Reed tannereed@gmail.com )

AUG 13 Wendover Park game night 5:30-7:30