Tonawanda, N.Y. (WBEN) - The City of Tonawanda is hoping one of the busiest walking trails in Western New York can become a bit safer after adding new speed limits for e-bikes in Niawanda Park.
The city has lowered the speed limit on the Niawanda Park Bike Path to 5 mph between Two Mile Creek Road and Seymour Street during the summer months. That includes the busiest areas where kids and families use and cross the path frequently.
"We have close to 600,000 people utilizing our walkway at Niawanda Park," said the city's Marty Grunzweig. "There's been a lot of near misses with people with e-bikes and regular bicycles running into people who are walking into the path who shouldn't be there. We determined we need to slow traffic down there to make it safer for everyone."
Grunzweig says most cyclists don't have to worry about getting a ticket, but speed will be enforced and riders acting recklessly could be hit with a $50 fine for their first violation.
There is already a 15 mph speed limit for e-bikes and e-scooters throughout the rest of the City.
"The main reason we're doing this is to make it safe," Grunzweig said. "Many times as you're on the path a little kid might walk into the bike lane or a senior citizen might be using a mobility vehicle that takes up a bit more space."
The City of Tonawanda Council also took up a new requirement that all 16- and 17-year-old e-bike users be wearing a helmet.
The city has lowered the speed limit on the Niawanda Park Bike Path to 5 mph between Two Mile Creek Road and Seymour Street
The city has lowered the speed limit on the Niawanda Park Bike Path to 5 mph between Two Mile Creek Road and Seymour Street
