Council discusses electric scooters, helmet education and possible ordinance changes

Council members and residents devoted substantial discussion to safety concerns about electric scooters and electric bicycles in Canton, including near misses at pool crosswalks and riders who do not stop at intersections.

Multiple speakers described incidents in which scooter riders—sometimes children—appeared in intersections without looking for traffic. One resident recounted helping a bleeding child after a scooter crash and said riders frequently fail to stop at crosswalks near the pool. Council members and staff noted scooters can reach high speeds and that many models are not registered or insured.

Corbin (city staff) explained the current legal framework under South Dakota Codified Law (SDCL): small electric scooters are not classified as motor vehicles and therefore are not subject to vehicle registration or many traffic‑vehicle rules. He advised the council that the primary local tools are municipal ordinances, which the council could adopt to address helmet use or riding behavior; he noted enforcement options could include modest fines similar to parking violations.

Council members suggested informational outreach—brochures for schools, messages on the city app and social media, notices at the pool and an informational slot at a planned bike rodeo—to encourage helmet use and safe riding. A resident and staff urged parental involvement in restricting speeds and supervising younger riders. No ordinance or fine schedule was adopted at the meeting; staff were directed to pursue education and informational materials and to discuss possible ordinance language for future consideration.