Residents complain of e-bike damage, harassment near school park; council asks staff to coordinate response

Residents told the West Des Moines City Council on Aug. 18 that people riding electric bikes have repeatedly damaged park turf, used the park where motorized vehicles are prohibited, and in some incidents followed and shone lights at neighbors near a school route.

The complaints came during the Citizens Forum, when Christina Stevens of 540 Fifth Street described months of “property destruction” and escalating unsafe behavior in a city park next to school property. “We have involved the police, and they pointed to the school. It's the school property, so the school said it was okay,” Stevens said.

Why it matters: council members said the behavior creates safety concerns for children who walk through the park to school and for residents who report being followed into driveways and harassed at night.

Council response and context: Mayor Russ Trimble and council members acknowledged the complaint and said staff, police and the school district are communicating. Trimble said he had spoken with Police Chief Chris Scott and with school officials and that the city will continue pursuing a resolution. A council member who had visited the site confirmed worn turf and other visible damage.

Council members noted the matter is complicated because the affected ground appears to include both city park land and school property. Several council members referred the issue to the Bicycle Advisory Commission and Parks and Recreation staff for further review; the council also discussed existing trail rules and signage that ban motorized vehicles on trails.

Bicycle-advisory and enforcement issues: council members said the Bicycle Advisory Commission has discussed electric-bike policy and that staff member Ryan Penning has compiled an analysis of what types of pedal-assist devices are permitted on city facilities. Council members emphasized balancing enforcement with access: “There are a lot of folks that rely upon or find good use out of these electric bikes,” a councilmember said, adding that the city should focus on safe use rather than blanket bans. At the same time multiple councilmembers said the specific behaviors—tailgating, wheelies, shining lights, following residents—should be addressed.

Next steps: Council members and staff agreed to keep the issue moving and to coordinate between police, legal, parks and the school district to clarify jurisdiction and enforcement options, and to return with recommendations. The council did not take formal regulatory action at the meeting.

Ending: Council members asked staff to look for short-term enforcement and education steps and flagged the Bicycle Advisory Commission and Parks and Recreation as the groups to study any rule changes for trails and parks.