Ashwaubenon keeps sidewalk allowance for bicycles, tightens rules for electric scooters and personal mobility devices

The Village Board on Jan. 28, 2025 approved Ordinance 01-03-25, amending Chapter 7, Article 7 of the Ashwaubenon Municipal Code to incorporate state statutory definitions for electric bicycles, electric scooters and electric personal assisted mobility devices, to clarify permitted locations of operation, and to preserve the local paragraph allowing bicycles and electric bicycles to be ridden on public sidewalks with specified yield and audible‑signal requirements.

Staff presented the draft ordinance after months of deliberation by the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee. Committee members were divided on one clause: a paragraph that, if removed, would default to state statute and prohibit bicycles on sidewalks. The committee reached a tie vote at a full meeting and forwarded the draft to the Village Board without committee consensus on that paragraph. At the meeting the board elected to retain paragraph 3 (the local sidewalk allowance) in the municipal code, meaning bicyclists and electric bicycle operators may continue to use sidewalks provided they yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal when passing.

The ordinance also adopts statutory definitions and clarifies that electric scooters and electric personal assisted mobility devices are not afforded the same sidewalk privileges as bicycles; the amended code permits those devices on roadways (subject to statutory restrictions) but prohibits their operation on sidewalks. Staff and committee materials noted that state statute already affords electric bicycles the rights and responsibilities of bicycles and that adopting the statutory definitions in local code improves clarity for enforcement.

Discussion highlighted two recurring concerns: safety for young children and other vulnerable sidewalk users, and unsafe operation of powered scooters on neighborhood streets. Several trustees said they would not want children forced into roadways and supported keeping the sidewalk paragraph; committee chair Tracy (Bicycle & Pedestrian Committee) emphasized research and neighboring jurisdictions that generally prohibit bicycles on sidewalks and argued that riding on the road can be safer for adult bicyclists. Tom from Public Safety clarified that bicycles are treated as vehicles for enforcement purposes and must obey the rules of the road; he also said officers can educate or enforce where users operate unsafely.

Board members debated whether to adopt the full ordinance now or send the issue back to committee with the new committee appointment; some members noted there is no pressing timeline and winter reduces immediate bicycle traffic. The motion to adopt the ordinance with paragraph 3 retained passed at the meeting (recorded vote: four in favor, one opposed). The ordinance therefore keeps local sidewalk access for bicycles and electric bicycles while restricting electric scooters and electric personal assisted mobility devices from sidewalks.

Implementation notes: the code now references statutory definitions so enforcement relies on state classifications; public‑safety staff can issue warnings or citations where users violate traffic or sidewalk rules. The board discussed sending the entire ordinance back to committee once the new committee member (Sue Krieger, appointed on this agenda) is seated; staff noted that could be done, but the board elected to act this evening.

The Village Clerk will incorporate the amended language into Chapter 7 and notify public‑safety staff and the Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee of the change.