Fond du Lac police urge education, enforcement over new ordinances for e-bikes and e-scooters

Police Chief Goldstein presented an overview of micromobility on June 24, telling the Fond du Lac City Council that the city’s safety problems with e-bikes, e-scooters and high-powered e-motos are best addressed through public education, parent engagement and consistent enforcement of existing laws rather than new local ordinances.

"I do not believe additional city ordinance language is necessary at this time," Goldstein said, summarizing the department’s view that Wisconsin statutes and current city code already provide a framework for addressing most unsafe uses. He outlined common safety issues reported to the department — excessive sidewalk speeds, riders failing to obey stop signs and signals, inexperienced young riders and high-powered devices operating where they should not.

Goldstein distinguished device classes under Wisconsin law: an e-bike generally requires operable pedals and a motor of 750 watts or less; class 1 and class 2 e-bikes are limited to about 20 miles per hour, and class 3 is limited to about 28 miles per hour and requires riders to be at least 16. He warned that many devices purchased online are mischaracterized as e-bikes but may exceed those limits or lack pedals and therefore may be classified as motor vehicles and subject to registration and licensing requirements. "Many devices marketed as e-bikes ... may actually be considered motor vehicles under Wisconsin law," Goldstein said.

Council members and the chief discussed enforcement challenges, especially involving juveniles who may flee when approached, and the limits of ticketing as a sole strategy. Several council members supported stronger education and outreach, including partnerships with schools, bike rodeos run by community groups, buy-local messaging to encourage purchases from local bike shops, and small incentive programs (for example, vouchers or event tickets) to reward safe riding. The chief described existing incentive efforts with local partners, such as giving vouchers to youths observed wearing helmets or following rules.

Council directed the police department to continue community education and monitoring of enforcement trends and to return to council if staff identify a legal gap that would require ordinance changes.