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Planning commissioners urge review of rules as e-bikes, scooters and motorized carts increase on Riverdale trails and streets
Summary
Commissioners and staff said Riverdale’s existing code does not adequately address modern electric bicycles, scooters and other motorized devices; they discussed enforcement through police complaints, liability concerns for trail users and potential design changes such as separate walking and biking lanes on future trail projects.
At the planning commission’s May 27 meeting commissioners raised safety concerns about motorized scooters, electric bicycles and small motorized vehicles operating on sidewalks, trails and neighborhood streets and urged staff and council review of city code and enforcement practices.
One commissioner warned of a serious collision if current use continues: “We’re gonna have some dead kids out in the streets one of these days,” the commissioner said, citing high speeds observed on small motorized vehicles. Commissioners described near-misses with pedestrians and people using mobility devices and noted some small vehicles can exceed 20–30 mph.
Mr. Cooper, community development staff, told commissioners he did not find current zoning code language that clearly addresses motorized devices and agreed the code may not have kept up with the advent of high-speed e-bikes and motorized scooters. “I don’t think our code has kept up with those changes,” Cooper said.
Commissioners and staff discussed enforcement and liability. Staff said the police department largely enforces trail and roadway violations on complaint, and one commissioner said police patrols of the trail occur periodically. Commissioners proposed options including requesting the city council review operational code and enforcement policies, adding signage, considering separate walking and biking lanes on future trail segments, and discussing helmet or speed regulations in line with state classifications (class 1/2/3 e-bikes).
No regulatory changes were adopted at the meeting; staff said they would bring the concern up in the next staff meeting for potential referral to the city council.
