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Council to study e-bike and sidewalk rules after safety complaints from pedestrians
Summary
Councilors heard multiple safety complaints about e-bikes and other powered bikes using sidewalks. Staff said there is no current local ordinance restricting bicycles on sidewalks and will research classifications, examples from other Maine municipalities and potential ordinance changes focused on electric-assist vehicles.
Councilors heard resident complaints at a workshop about e-bikes and other powered two-wheeled vehicles operating on sidewalks and trails, sometimes at speeds that endanger pedestrians.
Staff said Ellsworth currently has no explicit ordinance banning bicycles or e-bikes on sidewalks and that state law does not provide a clear, uniform standard. Several speakers described near-miss incidents on sidewalks, carriage roads and high-traffic downtown streets, and a resident urged the council to consider restrictions because some electric models weigh substantially more and can reach higher speeds than conventional bicycles.
Councilors asked staff to research classifications (class 1–3 e-bikes and speed/weight thresholds), look at other Maine municipalities’ approaches and consult the Bicycle Coalition of Maine for best practices. Staff noted the carriage roads and some municipal properties already impose restrictions (for example, some Acadia carriage-road rules only allow class 1 e-bikes) and said any proposed local ordinance would need careful calibration so it does not push vulnerable riders into unsafe road conditions.
Ending: Staff will return with examples of ordinances, classification guidance and recommended language for council consideration; no ordinance change was voted at the workshop.
