Council urges tighter rules for e-bikes and motorbikes after rise in injuries

City staff told the council Sept. 21 they are drafting a comprehensive ordinance to classify and regulate electric bicycles, scooters and electric motorbikes to make enforcement simpler for officers and to address safety concerns.

A staff member (speaker 2) said the city is trying to avoid requiring officers to measure equipment and instead define classes by function: "level 1 bicycles that are electric bicycles are up to 15 miles an hour and have pedals and don't have a throttle," staff said, while motorbikes with throttles can reach 40'50 mph and will likely require a driver's license and endorsement. Several councilors and the mayor relayed concerns from a local pediatrician about an increase in childhood head injuries and asked staff to collect ER and medical data. Council asked staff to explore speed limits on greenbelt paths and improved signage and public education as interim measures.

Planning and police will continue drafting the ordinance and coordinate with the legal department; staff said the draft is long and intergovernmental constraints (state law and federal vehicle classifications) will shape the final rules.