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Ames Council sets micromobility rules direction: follow bicycle limits, 20 mph default, parks reviewed separately
Summary
The Ames City Council directed staff to draft a micromobility ordinance that extends existing bicycle-area restrictions to similar personal-transportation devices, set a citywide default 20 mph not-to-exceed guideline (with parks handled separately), allow limited exceptions and return proposed signage language.
The Ames City Council provided staff with policy direction to draft a local ordinance regulating personal transportation devices (e-scooters, e-skateboards and similar devices) after a staff presentation on options used by Iowa cities.
City staff recommended updating Chapter 4 (bicycle code) to add a definition for "personal transportation device" and to treat such devices consistently with bicycles in areas where bicycles are already restricted. Paul Nolan (staff) said the definitions and rules used by other Iowa cities vary widely and recommended adopting the MPO's broader term "personal transportation device." He told council: "These types of micromobility ordinances can vary greatly by state; our recommendation is to adopt a definition for personal transportation device and to update Chapter 4 to include those devices."
Council direction and votes: After public comment and discussion about trail safety and enforcement, council voted to give these instructions to staff: - Extend the existing bicycle-area prohibitions to personal transportation devices (i.e., if bicycles are not allowed in downtown sidewalks or certain parks, neither would PT devices), but remove parks from that immediate action and ask the Parks & Recreation Commission to review park rules and report back (motion passed). - Adopt a citywide not-to-exceed guideline of 20 mph for micromobility devices on streets and multiuse facilities, while acknowledging local calibrations and technical travel-safety exceptions could be added during ordinance drafting (motion passed). - Allow exceptions for permitted events and ADA mobility devices via an administrative exception process; require that exceptions not carry additional riders (motion passed). - Ask staff to include signage concepts and return a draft ordinance for public comment and a future council vote (motion passed).
Enforcement challenge: Staff and council acknowledged enforcement could be difficult without operational controls from fleet operators. Police and staff said public education, signage and device-operator restrictions (for any rental operators) are among the practical enforcement tools available.
What happens next: Staff will draft ordinance language, include proposed staff signage, solicit public feedback and return the draft to council. The Parks & Recreation Commission will separately review park rules and recommend any park-specific restrictions for council consideration.
