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Chandler council hears resident complaints about e-bikes, asks staff to return with enforcement plan
Summary
A resident told the Chandler City Council that electric bicycles and motorized dirt bikes repeatedly violate rules on the Consolidated Canal. Councilmembers pressed staff for more enforcement and infrastructure options; staff said they would continue education and enforcement and return with ideas.
A resident asked the Chandler City Council on June 9 to take action after what she described as hundreds of motorized-vehicle incidents along the Consolidated Canal.
The comment came from Brooke Beal, who told the council she was reporting “over 400 events in the past couple of years, by the same 10 or 12 people” and cited written guidance she said had been sent to the mayor and council. Beal said she understood the Bureau of Reclamation regional director had not treated e-bikes the same as nonmotorized bicycles and that Salt River Project (SRP) and city signs prohibit e-bikes and certain motor-assisted vehicles on the Consolidated Canal.
The exchange moved into council discussion after Councilmember Orlando asked staff what else could be done and requested a plan to return within 30 days with options. City staff said they would explore Orlando’s suggestions and come back with ideas.
Why it matters: residents and council members framed the issue as a public-safety and quality-of-life concern on a busy multiuse path used by walkers, joggers and families. Council discussion focused on enforcement, education and simple physical improvements such as adding a separate bike lane or clearer delineation between pedestrian and bicycle spaces.
City staff said the Chandler Police Department has taken a mix of enforcement and education steps since fall 2024. The police account in the meeting said officers had conducted targeted pop-up enforcement events, set up traffic-message trailers, posted additional signs and trespassed eight juveniles who were riding motorized dirt bikes. Staff reported roughly 124–126 calls about canal activity since that time, and that many calls came from a single complainant. The police chief told the council, “we've had no injury accidents as a result of anything on the canal,” and emphasized the department is prioritizing its resource deployment across streets and public spaces.
Councilmember Berlinda said safety — not the raw count of calls — is the main concern: “People need to feel safe that they're walking on this path.” Orlando suggested exploring physical separation (a dedicated bike lane) and other measures to reduce conflicts. The chief said the department would continue increased visibility and education and encouraged community involvement such as citizen watch activities.
Formal action/direction: Councilmember Orlando asked staff to return within 30 days with options for addressing the canal concerns. Staff acknowledged the request and committed to report back; there was no formal vote recorded during the study session.
Authorities referenced in the discussion included a citation read by the speaker to “Arizona revised statute 28 8 19” and to a Chandler municipal code provision cited as “31-6(c)” on canal signage; speakers also referred to SRP signage and to the Bureau of Reclamation’s regional guidance as the basis for prohibitions. The meeting transcript does not include a legal interpretation resolving apparent gaps in local enforcement authority.
What’s next: Staff will explore enforcement, physical improvements, and education strategies and return to council; the police department will continue targeted patrols and public messaging. The council also invited greater public involvement in monitoring and reporting unsafe behavior on the canal.
