The Trails Committee on Wednesday voted 8-0 to recommend that the Select Board consider the implementation of a 10 mph speed limit for both traditional and electric bicycles on the town’s shared-use trails.

Chair Peter LaGoy drafted a letter to the Select Board before the meeting that proposed setting a speed limit for e-bikes. It was modified over the course of discussion to include standard bicycles. While the letter stated that the committee supports e-bike use, it stressed safety concerns and damage caused to trails by e-bikes as reasons for requesting that a speed limit be imposed. It recommended posting the speed limit on the town’s three shared-use paths — the Center, Hughes Farm and Echo trails.

“The thinking was to try and encourage responsible use,” said LaGoy. “This is a huge town-wide issue.”

“E-bikes are being used in a manner that cuts ruts into trails,” the letter stated, “which over time will result in stormwater runoff erosion to the trails. In particular, E-bikes with throttles are started quickly in a manner that can dig into the trails.”

Vice chair Scott Knous at first balked at the committee making a recommendation, preferring instead that the Select Board “do due diligence” on the issue on its own.

LaGoy countered that the letter served two purposes. It notified the Select Board that the Trails Committee has been looking into the situation while emphasizing the value of e-bike use “on certain types of trails.”

Knous said he didn’t believe the speed limit could be enforced. He also pointed out that e-bikes are harder to control on soft surfaces. They may startle other types of trail users, he pointed out, including walkers and horseback riders.

Clerk Linda Chuss said she believed the 10 mph speed limit on Center Trail would be helpful from a sustainability perspective as more people turn to using e-bikes. She suggested that the speed limit apply to all types of bikes, which members endorsed.

Member Jane Moran added that e-bikes can provide an accessibility option for older people and people with disabilities.

After the vote on modifying the letter to include traditional bikes, resident Don Keiser suggested that the committee work on “courtesy guidelines for the trails.”

Trail spreadsheet created, boardwalk plan in motion

Treasurer Sean Kimball, a member of the physical trails ad-hoc subgroup, told the committee he did “a bunch of stuff” independently, as this subgroup did not meet yet.

One project Kimball tackled was combining two lists of trails into one spreadsheet that could be modified. He said his hope is to create a trail database. Once completed, this could be applied to a town-wide trail map to create trail zones.

This inventory project would allow members to see where needs for trails exist as well as where trail clusters appear, he added.

LaGoy said this list will be helpful information for the trail planning subgroup. Knous noted that the inventory could be used by the outreach subgroup to target its messaging efforts.

Kimball told members that he met with members of the Woodville Rod & Gun Club [Editor’s note: Corrected from Hopkinton Sportsman’s Association] regarding the proposed reconstruction of the bridge at the Woodville trail, which is located 50 feet north of the club’s property. He brought a letter from the club to the meeting in opposition to the plan.

“Essentially what they said is that the trail is dangerous,” stressed Kimball, who said he walked the trail with some club members. “I personally agree with them.”

Kimball noted that he found whole clay pigeons on the trail. They generally are used for target practice.

Because of this discovery, the committee voted 8-0 not to go forward with building the bridge there. The wood, which already was purchased, could be used for two boardwalks planned for the Berry Acres area, according to Kimball.

A proposal was submitted by the committee to the Conservation Commission regarding these boardwalks at its Oct. 7 meeting, but it did not include a schematic drawing. One boardwalk is 16 feet in length, while the other is 60 feet. The plan is expected to be reviewed at the Conservation Commission’s Oct. 21 meeting.

Outreach strategies discussed

Knous and Chuss, who are members of the outreach subcommittee, spoke about various methods to connect with groups and residents in town. Their end goal is to create a greater public awareness about Hopkinton’s extensive trail networks and encourage usage by diverse populations.

Suggestions Knous provided included fostering partnerships with the schools, local businesses and organizations. He mentioned activities such as scavenger hunts, themed trail walks and photo contests.

In addition, Knous said the committee should meet people “where they are.” Reaching out to different types of trail users, the South Asian community, “moms groups” and neighborhood organizations is crucial, he explained. Trail ambassadors and volunteer recognition awards were other suggestions mentioned.

Chuss noted that traditional and social media can be used to connect with the public. Maps, pictures and videos can be shared easily digitally.

She added that trails committees in neighboring towns are beginning to meet together, and this committee will be invited to the next joint meeting.

Chuss also proposed an informal social gathering for members of all town committees and boards with a focus on natural resources and to get to know one another.

Trail planning subgroup talks master plan

Moran said the trail planning subgroup met recently to discuss the creation of a trail master plan. Moran, LaGoy and member Ken Parker, who comprise this subgroup, agreed to meet every two weeks to discuss its goals.

While Parker said he “was not keen” on forming a master plan, he suggested that artificial intelligence could be used to help with this once all trails-related documents are digitized.

Moran noted that all of the subgroups will have input into the master plan. She referred to it as a “guidebook.”