Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee Meeting - April 14, 2026

Note: The instruction for this summary stated the meeting date as April 16, 2026. However, all official meeting materials (agenda, minutes, transcript) indicate the meeting occurred on Tuesday, April 14, 2026 at 8:30 AM. This summary uses the correct date from the source documents.

The Bicycle-Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) met on April 14, 2026 in the Miller Room of City Hall and via Zoom. The meeting was called to order at 8:31 AM and adjourned at 9:49 AM. Seven members were present, one excused. The committee discussed and voted on a proposed electric scooter and electric bicycle ordinance, received a public involvement summary for the Green Bay Street project, and heard an update on the bicycle and pedestrian count program.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes: The minutes from March 10, 2026 were approved via motion by Kevin Hundt, seconded by Robert Young. The motion carried on a voice vote.

Public Comments & Testimony

• Flint Carl Law (West Salem resident, Regional Rep of ABA Wisconsin): Expressed concern about the optics of e-bike and e-scooter use, stating that the general public cannot differentiate between e-bikes, e-scooters, and motorcycles. He advocated for education over legislation and noted that New Jersey recently passed restrictive e-bike/e-scooter legislation classifying throttle-equipped devices as motorcycles.
• Greg Pump (resident at 429 2nd Street): Strongly opposed allowing bicycles and e-bikes on sidewalks in Riverside Park, citing heavy foot traffic, senior citizens, disabled individuals, strollers, and near-miss incidents he observed daily. He requested that the city require dismounting and walking bikes in Riverside Park, similar to policies in Savannah, Georgia.

Discussion Items

• 24-1118: Electric Scooters and Electric Bicycle Ordinance
  • Attorney Alan presented updated ordinance language, noting key changes from prior drafts:
    • E-bikes: throttle operation prohibited on sidewalks; pedal-assist allowed. E-bike sidewalk use now equivalent to regular bikes.
    • E-scooters: sidewalk prohibition aligned with bike rules—prohibited in the downtown La Crosse area only, otherwise allowed.
    • The downtown area definition was made consistent across play vehicles, e-scooters, and bikes.
  • Discussion centered on the standard of "reasonable rate of speed" vs. a fixed speed limit. Member Andrew Ericson proposed a definition limiting sidewalk speed to 10 mph except when conditions require slower speeds, but this was not formally seconded. Staff and other members (Randi Pueschner) supported the flexible reasonable-speed language.
  • Kevin Hundt proposed an amendment to remove Riverside Park International Gardens and Levees from the prohibited-area list in section 34-68(D1), arguing the current language would restrict biking there even though existing enforcement is lacking. His amendment lacked a second.
  • Staff noted that this ordinance also goes before the Board of Park Commissioners on April 16, then to Judiciary & Administration and Common Council.
• 25-1324: Green Bay Street Project Discussion
  • Staff presented results of public involvement: a February 24 public meeting had 47 attendees; an online survey garnered 305 responses. Key survey findings: 66% rated current conditions 7 or higher on a 0-10 scale; support for various bicycle infrastructure alternatives ranged from 8% to 25% positive.
  • Cost estimate for full protected bike lanes from 14th Street to Losey Boulevard: $800,000 to $1,000,000 to adjust curbs and storm structures. The option approved would affect the section from 9th to 14th Street currently under design.
  • Discussion included piecemeal implementation (similar to Amsterdam's multi-decade approach) and the possibility of painted lanes as a temporary measure where protected lanes are infeasible (e.g., high driveway density near West Avenue).
  • The Board of Public Works will consider the project on April 20, 2026 at 10:00 AM.
• Update on Bicycle and Pedestrian Count Program
  • Staff (Sammy and Sam) proposed purchasing Eco Counter equipment: one mobile multi-counter (tubes for bikes, infrared for pedestrians) and three nano counters (infrared for foot traffic). Total cost: $12,505, covering hardware and 5 years of software.
  • Half the funding was approved by the Plan Steering Committee; the other half is sought from the La Crosse Area Planning Coalition. Goal is deployment by July 2026.
  • Committee members suggested coordination with La Crosse County's existing mobile counter to boost data.

Key Outcomes

• Ordinance Vote: Motion to recommend adoption of the e-scooter/e-bike ordinance as written passed 4 to 3 (Boldon, Hundt, and Young opposed). The recommendation will move to the Board of Park Commissioners, Judiciary & Administration Committee, and Common Council.
• Kevin Hundt's amendment to remove Riverside Park restrictions from the ordinance was not seconded and therefore not voted on.
• The Green Bay Street project will be forwarded to the Board of Public Works on April 20 for a recommendation on which bicycle facility option to pursue.
• The bicycle/pedestrian count program funding will be pursued with an additional $6,252.50 request from the Plan Coalition.
• A future agenda item was requested for "Week Without Driving" (October 1-8, 2026) to consider co-sponsorship.