Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Micro Mobility Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Board debates sidewalk use of e-bikes, scooters and enforcement; chief says state law already limits sidewalk riding downtown
Summary
At the May 14 meeting the Board of Public Safety discussed growing concerns about electric scooters, e-bikes and sidewalk safety; Police Chief Smith and board members reviewed New York vehicle-and-traffic law, existing city code for downtown, and agreed education and a clear local definition should accompany any code changes.
The Glens Falls Board of Public Safety spent more than an hour on May 14 discussing sidewalk safety, electric scooters and e-bikes, and how the city should balance pedestrian safety with access for people with mobility limitations. Police Chief Smith told the board that state vehicle-and-traffic law and existing city code already restrict operating e-scooters and similar devices on sidewalks in the downtown business district.
“Sidewalks are for pedestrians,” Chief Smith said, summarizing guidance from the New York State Department of Transportation and materials from Bike New York. He noted state law (Vehicle and Traffic Law, section 77-a and related definitions) allows local ordinances to authorize sidewalk operation only in narrow cases and that New York’s law divides electric bicycles and scooters into classes with differing rules. “If I'm on my electric bicycle and I'm riding on the sidewalk, am I illegal? Yes,” he said, describing current enforcement options.
Board members raised two recurring concerns: the safety of elderly pedestrians and people with disabilities who rely on mobility devices, and a subset of young adults riding high-speed scooters or e-bikes on sidewalks or against traffic. Mayor (presiding) said the board is not trying to “drive any of our handicapped individuals off the sidewalk,” and emphasized that any local changes should include carve-outs or clarifications for mobility devices used by people with disabilities.
Members asked staff to compare a draft local proposal that had been prepared by Commissioner Mike with the state guidance Chief Smith supplied. The board asked staff to produce two items for a future meeting: (1) a suggested code change or a one-page educational packet clarifying what is legal downtown and what is not, and (2) a public-education plan to distribute to schools, event organizers and bike vendors. The mayor suggested working with local bicycling groups and Adirondack Cyclist volunteers to develop both enforcement and education materials.
Chief Smith recommended focusing first on public education because the state law and city code already provide enforcement authority in many of the problem scenarios the board described. He also noted that enforcement should be proportional and aimed at parents and vendors when children are involved; the board agreed that ticketing would be a last resort and that outreach and signage should be prioritized.
Ending: The board directed staff and police to compare Mike’s draft regulation to the state vehicle-and-traffic guidance, draft recommended language or an education packet, and return with recommendations and an outreach plan to schools and vendors.
