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Resident urges ban on motorized devices on sidewalks; board agrees to draft ordinance
Summary
A Glens Falls resident told the Board of Public Safety that electric scooters and similar devices are riding on sidewalks and creating safety risks; the board directed staff to meet with the police chief to draft an ordinance that would allow enforcement.
A Glens Falls resident urged the Board of Public Safety on Feb. 12 to prohibit electric scooters, e-bikes and other motorized wheeled devices from sidewalks and the city bike trail, saying the devices are quiet, often ridden on sidewalks and creating hazards for pedestrians and schoolchildren.
The request came from Frank Abianca of Sheridan Street, who described seeing more scooters and electric skateboards in the last few years and said many riders use sidewalks near schools and downtown. "They are virtually quiet," Abianca said during the public comment period, adding that he fears collisions with elderly pedestrians and children.
The board discussed enforcement limitations and agreed the police need an ordinance to issue citations. A board member said Chief Smith told them officers cannot enforce a prohibition without a specific local law; without an ordinance officers can only issue safety warnings. The board asked Mike Bridal, a board member, to meet with Chief Smith or a designee and community members, including Abianca, to draft an ordinance for future consideration.
Board members noted nuances the ordinance will need to address, including how to define "motorized" (gas or battery powered), exceptions for mobility-assist devices for people with disabilities, and whether different enforcement approaches should apply for minors. Members also recounted past discussions about allowing e-bikes on the city bike path and reiterated that the board previously chose no change there because of current safety concerns and limited patrol resources.
Abianca offered to help with a public safety education campaign and with outreach through the Adirondack Cycling Advocates. Board members suggested pairing any new ordinance work with public education and a volunteer outreach effort to improve compliance on the bike path.
The board's direction was procedural: staff and a police designee will draft proposed ordinance language and return it to the board; no ordinance was introduced or adopted at the Feb. 12 meeting.
