Residents press Garden City to curb high-speed e-bikes and motorized vehicles on Greenbelt; city plans signage and ambassador program

Residents at Garden City’s town hall detailed safety hazards on the city’s Greenbelt, telling elected officials they regularly encounter e-bikes and other motorized devices traveling at high speeds near pedestrians and children.

"They're literally going 35 to 40 miles an hour," a resident warned, describing encounters that left neighbors afraid to walk with grandchildren. Multiple residents said scooters and motorized skateboards are often left scattered along the trail, increasing hazards and litter.

City response and near-term steps: the mayor said the city can press shared-mobility vendors to cap device speeds (he gave 15 mph as a negotiable target), will roll out improved signage and will pursue educational patrols if funding allows. He explained ambassadors would have an outreach, not an enforcement, role: "If we have Greenbelt ambassadors, they're not enforcement," the mayor said, adding the city wants volunteers to hand out flyers and educate users.

Jurisdictional constraints: staff and residents acknowledged enforcement is complicated because the Greenbelt crosses multiple jurisdictions; the mayor said the city will coordinate with Ada County and neighboring cities and talk to law enforcement about enforcement options and targeted patrols.

Resident proposals: speakers suggested physical traffic-calming features or a chicane where appropriate, clearer no-motorized-vehicle signage at launch points, and temporary patrols during high-use weekends. One speaker suggested selective vegetation and minor design changes to reduce straightaway speeds.

Next steps and limits: the mayor said the city will place new signs and seek contractual speed limits from vendors, explore volunteer ambassador outreach and consider patrols when funding is available. Residents were urged to report dangerous incidents to the police to establish enforcement demand and patterns.

No ordinance or new enforcement authority was adopted at the meeting; staff will follow up with interagency partners.