Mayor urges safety for e-bike and scooter riders
Marty Zehnder, Strasburg Council pro tem, left, and Mayor Bruce Metzger cut the ribbon opening Seventh Street to Dale Avenue Northwest.
Strasburg Mayor Bruce Metzger is urging parents to talk with their children about safely operating e-bikes, scooters, golf carts and bicycles within village limits. His comments came during the June 3 village council meeting following multiple reports of dangerous riding behavior.
“The speed limit on Bodmer Avenue is 25 mph,” Metzger said. “I saw four boys on e-bikes outside Village Hall on Bodmer Avenue Monday night. They were blowing through stop signs and traffic lights, doing wheelies to Ninth Street. They were going at least 45 mph and almost got hit near Fifth Street Southwest. One lives near me, and I am going to speak to his mother.”
Metzger said he followed the boys as far as 12th Street Southwest.
Residents also raised concerns at the meeting, calling for safety rules and training for young riders.
New signage has been installed at the walking path in Franklin Park that reads: “No motorized electric carts, bikes or scooters on the walking trail.”
Metzger said the path is meant for pedestrians, not motorized vehicles. Despite the signs, youths reportedly continue to disregard the rules, and one small child was recently struck by a scooter in the park.
Metzger has authorized local police to stop and advise youth violating traffic or safety rules.
“I was coming down Bodmer Avenue, and four boys on electric scooters were straddling the street and would not move over,” zoning inspector Ted Foster said. “I was at a ball game at Dover Park, and there are no e-bikes or scooters allowed there.”
Prior to the end of the school year, a Strasburg police officer visited students in fourth grade through sixth grade to provide safety instruction related to motorized vehicles, especially scooters.
In other business
—A ribbon cutting was held at Dale Avenue and Seventh Street following the completion of paving on the long-closed through street. The road officially opened to traffic June 6.
—Council approved $521 for the police department to purchase tuning forks for radar calibration.
—Council passed, as an emergency, a resolution to hire Noah Pasek as a firefighter and basic emergency medical technician.
—Council approved the relocation of the Sibley Mart sign and approved rounding the corner of Wooster and Zeltman avenues, at a cost of $24,155.
—Two proposals were received for the planned multipurpose facility, which will house a community center, police station, library and Carpenter’s Cupboard. Interviews with the two firms will be scheduled.
—The first reading was held for an amended ordinance regulating nuisance feral animals. Officials discussed forming a committee to address updates related to feral cats.
—Streets in the village were swept at a cost of $5,000. Sweeping is performed twice a year.
—Residents were reminded not to blow grass clippings into the street, which violates a village ordinance and creates a safety hazard for motorcycles and bicycles.
—Interior wall work, trimmed with metal sheeting, has been completed at the fire station.
—Permits were issued for a single-family home in Williams Village, two side yard fences and a business license for Guadalupana la Direccion Restaurant at 1050 N. Wooster Ave.
Additional reports
—The fire department responded to 26 calls between May 16 and May 31. Three firefighter interviews have been completed and are pending physical and drug screening results. Five applications have been received for volunteer positions.
—Officials informed the local soccer club that while they may display a photo or plaque in memory of Bob Ciekanski, a club founder, the village is not in favor of naming a Franklin Park field after an individual.
—The police department responded to 110 calls between May 19 and June 3.
—Military veteran banners will be installed along Wooster Avenue after the spring sports season concludes.
The next Strasburg Village Council meeting will be Tuesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. at 224 N. Bodmer Ave.