Commission chair proposes e-bike rules for parks, recommends banning high-speed class 3 bikes on hiking trails

Commission Chair Sue Rich on Feb. 19 proposed adding standard e-bike classifications to Olivette’s vehicle code and the parks code and recommended the city allow class 1 and class 2 electric bicycles on paved greenway paths while prohibiting class 3 devices and bicycles on unpaved hiking trails.

Rich said the definitions and class framework are industry-standard and used by agencies such as the Missouri Department of Conservation and Great Rivers Greenway. "My recommendation is that we allow class 1 and class 2 in our parks… but I do think we should ban the class 3," Rich said, explaining class 3 can achieve higher speeds without pedaling and is not appropriate for narrow, unpaved trails.

Why it matters: commissioners and parks staff said higher-speed or throttle-enabled devices create user-safety concerns on mixed-use greenways and unpaved hiking trails and that the city’s existing Chapter 3-75 for alternative vehicles (last substantively updated in 2008) does not explicitly address modern e-bike classes.

Key points and next steps

- Scope: Staff recommended prohibiting bicycles (electric or non-electric) on the new unpaved hiking trails (Sassafras, Cottonwood and other single-track routes), and posting “no bicycles” symbols on those trails. The ban would not target paved greenway segments where safe mixed use is common.

- Speed and enforcement: Rich proposed a 15-mph posted speed suggestion for paved greenway segments to remind riders to slow down; commissioners acknowledged such limits are difficult to enforce but said signage gives police an ordinance-backed tool when complaint-driven enforcement is required. Police enforcement would rely on complaint patterns and, if repeated, the department would attempt identification and contact with parents or riders.

- Process: Rich asked staff to consult the police chief and prepare a draft ordinance that inserts e-bike classifications into the city’s vehicle/alternative-vehicle rules and amends the parks code. She described the legislative path: draft, commission review, two city-council readings, codification and then budget allocation for signage. Rich said she would like the ordinance ready for council consideration and signage funding ahead of the summer season if possible.

Public and commissioner comments

Commissioners and members of the public discussed enforcement feasibility, the difficulty of distinguishing classes visually, and operational trade-offs (for example, allowing class 1 pedal-assist bikes but banning throttle-powered class 3 models). Some commissioners said temporary measures such as movable speed-display trailers could be deployed by police in problem areas; others urged caution because many riders are children and officers often prefer education and parent contact over citations.

Ending

Staff will take the commission’s feedback, consult the police chief and draft an ordinance for a future meeting; council approval would require two readings before codification and subsequent purchase of signs if the commission and council adopt the changes.