‘Timid’ black bears pose little risk to humans but can still be a neighborhood nuisance ► PAGE 4 J u l y 3 0 , 2 0 2 6 | A p p e n M e d i a . c o m | A n A p p e n M e d i a G r o u p P u b l i c a t i o n | 5 0 ¢ | Vo l u m e 3 0 , N o . 3 1
Forsyth County cleanup teaches environmental stewardship lessons By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com
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Rhett Richardson holds up garbage he collected with a grabber on Namon Wallace Road in July.
FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Taking her kids to a county cleanup came with a silver lining for Cumming mom Caroline Richardson. Manipulating a trash grabber and donning a neon vest were certainly fun for Penny, 9, and Rhett, 7. And the bag full of plastic bottles, weathered political campaign signs and other roadside garbage was a testament that the family was bettering the environment. But perhaps most importantly, Richardson said the opportunity gave her children the chance to learn the importance of community service. “We’re out here being part of the community, and we’re taking pride in cleaning up part of the community that they’re part of,” she said. Richardson added that she was pleased the lesson seemed to be sticking.
See CLEANUP, Page 11
Forsyth OKs e-bikes on Greenway, bans fastest class By JON WILCOX jon@appenmedia.com FORSYTH COUNTY, Ga. — Forsyth County is working to balance safety concerns while expanding access for electric bicycles as the battery-powered twowheelers become increasingly popular. At a July 23 meeting, the Forsyth
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County Board of Commissioners approved changes to parks and recreation ordinances, including updates that regulate e-bike use. While trail signs already permitted ebikes, the ordinance did not expressly address them. The update adds language explicitly allowing the use of two e-bike classes while forbidding the fastest kind. The amended ordinance provides for
the use of Class 1 and 2 e-bikes on Big Creek Greenway paths inside Forsyth County. Class 3 e-bikes were excluded. State law divides e-bikes into three classes. Class 1 e-bikes provide motor assistance when a rider pedals and stop assistance at 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes use a throttle and also cease power at 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes provide pedal assistance up
to 28 mph and must have a speedometer. First opened in 2009, the Big Creek Greenway connects to a regional network of trails that link into Fulton County. The pathway stretches 16 miles into Forsyth County and is lined with pristine natural space.
See E-BIKES, Page 11
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