Council adds e‑bikes to parks and multi‑use trail rules, limits speed to 15 mph

The McAlester City Council voted to amend the city parks and trails code to explicitly allow class 1 and class 2 electric‑assist bicycles on multi‑use trails, set a 15‑mph speed limit on those trails and reaffirm that motorized bicycles and other motor‑driven vehicles remain prohibited from pedestrian‑only paths.

City parks staff explained the ordinance language mirrors state guidance on e‑bike classes and that the city will limit multi‑use trails to lower‑powered e‑bikes for safety. The draft removes electric‑assist bikes from the list of unlawful trail uses where appropriate and separately defines a motorized bicycle (small‑engine, motor‑driven cycles) that remains banned from trails.

Staff noted some technical choices in the draft: a 35‑cubic‑centimeter motor threshold for the motorized bicycle definition was adopted from model language used by other municipalities to help police enforcement, and the ordinance delegates trail speed limits to the council — the adopted text sets 15 mph. Presenters cited guidance from People for Bikes and municipal examples in drafting the definitions.

The council approved the ordinance and separately approved an emergency clause so the rule change is effective immediately. The motion carried by roll call with all members voting in favor.

What it means in practice: class 1 and 2 e‑bikes may operate on authorized multi‑use trails at or below 15 mph; class 3 e‑bikes and motorized bikes remain restricted where the ordinance designates pedestrian‑only use. The parks department and police will use the definitions to inform enforcement and trail signage.