Berm task force considers path restrictions for bikes, e-scooters

The Birch Bay Berm Task Force held the first of a series of conversations June 24 to discuss and eventually come to a consensus on how the new berm path should be used. Prohibiting bikes from using the mostly limestone path has been the main focus of discussion but some community members say electric scooters and skateboards should be considered as well.

Once the task force comes to an agreement what types of vehicle restrictions should be put in place for the path, whether it will be pedestrian only or a pedestrian/bicycle trail, it will make a recommendation to the Birch Bay Chamber of Commerce. The chamber will then propose it to Whatcom County Public Works, which will then draft an ordinance to present to county council, Roland Middleton of public works said.

In the meeting, community members discussed ways to limit bikers from “terrorizing” pedestrians on the promenade. Some mentioned placing a speed limit on vehicles or prohibiting them altogether for adults at least, but all were in agreement that kids should be allowed to ride their bikes on the path.

“We have to have a place for the little kids on their bicycles, because they’re not safe on that road,” said task force member Mary Lou Jones. “I don’t think they can hurt anyone.”

One way to do this, a community member said, would be to base the restriction on wheel size – say a 16-inch or 18-inch limit – but another warned that bikes come in all different shapes and sizes nowadays.

Patrick Alesse, co-owner of The C Shop, told the task force they should keep motorized scooters and skateboards in mind when discussing vehicles to prohibit. Task force member Wendy White, who used to live in San Diego, added that electric scooters were banned from the boardwalk in San Diego due to too many accidents.

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office deputy Derek Jones reminded community members when discussing types of restrictions to consider how the sheriff’s office can enforce those restrictions. “Hopefully, going forward, we can talk about what it will look like – the sheriff’s office enforcing it, whether its just education or actually citing people,” he said.

The task force came to no formal agreement in its first meeting. More conversations will be held this summer before a proposal is taken to the county.

Middleton said this is really up to the community; public works will put up any appropriate signs and make enforcement tools available to the sheriff’s office. “As long as it’s safe, whatever the community would like is really where public works is,” he said. “So, we’re really looking forward to having a recommendation from the community.”

The next task force meeting is planned for Thursday, July 29 at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. All are welcome and more information can be found on the chamber website at birchbaychamber.com.