Mercer Island staff to survey residents, host outreach on ebike regulations

City staff outlined a multi‑channel public outreach campaign April 16 to gather Mercer Island input on proposed regulations for ebikes and similar devices in parks and open spaces.

"Staff will conduct an outreach campaign that includes a let's talk page, an online survey, in‑person engagement opportunities, and promotion across city channels," management analyst Julia Chaden said, explaining staff will tailor a statewide survey used by Washington DNR and WDFW to the island and host in‑person booths at events.

Why it matters: City council directed staff in May 2025 to draft an ordinance regulating ebikes and e‑scooters; trustees and the Parks and Recreation Commission previously asked for more community input before rulemaking. The outreach will feed a fall report that staff plan to present to the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Open Space Conservancy Trust.

Chaden said the survey will go live later in April and run through August and that staff will work with a PRC subcommittee to finalize questions. "We will include the statewide definitions for an ebike and, where platform allows, pictures so people are able to visually understand what they're seeing," she said. Trustees will also attend roughly five public events to solicit feedback in person.

Trustees raised two recurring themes in the question period. Secretary Carolyn Bender said she was "glad this is going to happen," but urged staff to ensure voices besides regular bicyclists are heard and to plan youth‑focused outreach through schools or bike clubs. Trustee Andrew Rosenthal also urged clearer directions on how residents should report ebike problems in parks, suggesting event signage include who to call so officials can better gauge the problem's scale.

On enforcement, Chaden said the question of how regulations would be enforced is expected to be part of a later meeting when more policy detail is available. She said staff aim to provide survey results to trustees and commissioners in advance of the fall meeting to allow for public comment.

The city will promote the effort via social media, the MiWeekly newsletter and at local events; staff expect to return in the fall with summarized outreach findings and recommendations for regulation drafting.