Residents urge South Burlington to address e-bike speeds on shared-use paths

Roseanne Greco, a South Burlington resident, told the council she supports shared-use paths but is alarmed by children riding e-bikes "incredibly fast, inches away from walkers," sometimes on roads and through red lights, and without helmets.

Greco said she has nearly been struck on multiple occasions and that some riders she has seen were as young as 10 or 11. "They are operating motor vehicles without licenses," she said, adding that the speed and helmetless riders create safety risks for pedestrians, pets and drivers near the high school, school bus stops and neighborhood intersections.

The council heard similar testimony from another resident who said the problem is not limited to e-bikes but includes scooters and hoverboards. "These are all electrified, recreational things," one councilor observed, and councilors said they have personally encountered riders traveling rapidly on mixed-use trails.

Councilors and staff discussed possible next steps, including education and outreach. Councilor Andrew (first name given in the record) thanked Greco for the comment and said he and another councilor had yelled for a rider to slow down when they were biking home after a prior meeting. Staff did not present a specific ordinance change during the meeting; rather, councilors and staff framed the issue as a combination of safety, education and possible policy review.

Why this matters: Shared-use paths are intended to safely accommodate pedestrians, cyclists and other users. City leaders said they will consider education and policy options to reduce speed-related safety risks and will track the issue for follow-up.

What the council did: The comment was taken during the public comment portion of the meeting; no formal action or vote was taken.

Speakers quoted or referenced in this article are those who spoke on the topic at the meeting and are listed in the speaker roster below.