11-12-2025 Parks and Recreation Commission Packet (2)

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Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes October 8, 2025 --------- Page 3 of 10 Chair Anderson said this is a complex issue. He shared that he has been spending a lot of time on our paved trails particularly out at Woodland Trails Regional Park and e-motorcycles which are e-bikes are out of control. Chair Anderson shared that he got a call and a text from an individual as well. He said that there are places out on the trails and in the park where they are “laying rubber” and they have a lot of power. He said that he was heading out in a city truck to place chips on the trail, and he had a bike driving behind him doing wheelies and trying to get by. Chair Anderson reviewed his handout listing the several types of motorized bikes. He thinks that they should have a discussion regarding what they think of each of these devices and whether they want to allow them onto the paved and dirt trails. Chair Anderson said in addition to driving on the paved trails at Woodland Trails there have been a couple of individuals that have caused extensive damage to the dirt trails. He provided a photo of trail damage along with the list of bikes that he handed out. He asked the Commissioners to discuss what they think of each of the devices and whether they want to allow them or not on the paved, green, or dirt trails. Chair Anderson said that he invited Derek Burchill,14481 Idone St. NW Ramsey, MN, the trail steward at Hillside Mountain Bike Park, to speak on behalf of damage occurring at Hillside Park with e-bikes. Mr. Burchill said that he has been dealing with similar issues as Chair Anderson with what he calls e-motos. He explained that burning rubber is spraying dirt up behind the bike. He said that Hillside Park has a lot of sharp corners, and it would be easy to collide with other riders and trees. When he sees riders doing this, he tries to inform them that there are no motorized vehicles allowed on the trails. MORCs (Minnesota Off-Road Cyclists) position is the same as the state but Mr. Burchill’s opinion is that only class 1 bikes should be allowed on the trails because the other classes are too fast. He tells people out there that only class 1 bikes are allowed. Mr. Burchill said a couple of days ago there was a group of six kids flying through the trails and no one looked over 15. He said that the trails are used by all ages, and he doesn’t want to see someone get hurt. Chair Anderson said that they have little kids on little kid bikes at Woodland Trails Regional Park. He said the people on e-motos are basically using pedestrians as an obstacle course. He shared that he read in the paper that the cops were out there after at least one incident where they had to get someone after they got hurt. Chair Anderson asked staff what the city’s investment in Hillside was, he thinks it was $100,000. He said it was a very big investment in that resource, it is serving the community well and it is now being damaged by what he and Mr. Burchill think is unauthorized use. Chair Anderson wants to hear from the rest of the group what they think as well as go through the list of what they think should be in and what should be out. They won’t be talking about sidewalks or streets since those are not something for them to be concerned about. Mr. Burchill said he has received a lot of concerns about safety from users of the bike trails at Hillside. He also shared that trail management crews are concerned about safety when they are working at the park. Mr. Shelby asked Mr. Burchill to clarify what he means when he says e-motos. He said that they are the ones that don’t have pedals. He said some of the bikes he sees do have pedals on them, but he thinks the bikes have been modified, and the pedals aren’t functional and won’t move. Mr. Burchill said he does see full-faced helmets on most people or even motorcycle helmets. DRAFTPage 4 of 34