Sara Gloede speaks Nov. 20 before Sturgeon Bay’s Plan Commission to request a conditional use permit to operate an e-bike rental business at a house she uses as a short-term rental in the city. Photo by Kevin Boneske.
Sturgeon Bay’s Plan Commission granted a conditional use permit (CUP) on Nov. 20 to Sara Gloede to operate an e-bike rental business at a house she uses as a short-term rental at 208 S. 4th Ave.
The city required Gloede to obtain a CUP because the property is zoned Multi-Family Residential (R-4). According to Planner/Zoning Administrator Stephanie Lynaugh, an e-bike rental is considered a customer service establishment, which requires a permit in that zone.
Gloede said the fully-automated, self-service rental business would operate seven days a week between 9 am and 6 pm from May through October. She said she hopes the business draws visitors who stay at area hotels.
“Then they would visit Potawatomi [State Park] or bike some of my favorite bike trails here in Sturgeon Bay,” she said.
The bike brand would be the Small Town Bike based in Sheboygan County, and would be the “Class 2” type capable of a top speed of 19 mph and a range of up to 50 miles per charge.
Gloede said a QR code system would be used for the bike rentals, which would direct customers to the business website, where they would select and book a bike, agree to a liability waiver and receive a text or email confirmation.
She said the confirmation would provide the access code to unlock the selected e-bike and view a safety tutorial video. Those renting the e-bikes would be required to return them by 6 pm on the same day to the 208 S. 4th Ave. location, where they would be kept under a canopy behind the house.
Gloede said the business would initially have 14 e-bikes for rent, with the potential to expand to 20 as demand grows. The e-bikes and canopy would be removed from the property from November through April.
