Carmel committee advances micromobility ordinance after months of review; asks for signage, education and enforcement clarifications

The Planned Use in Special Studies committee voted unanimously Nov. 5 to forward an amended draft ordinance to the City Council that would regulate micromobility devices — including e‑scooters, class 1–3 e‑bikes and a newly defined category of higher‑powered "eMoto devices" — on Carmel’s multiuse paths, greenways, sidewalks and streets.

City legal counsel Sergei Gretchukin told the committee the draft incorporates state regulations and adds a new definition for higher‑powered devices: "An eMoto device is a device powered by electric or mechanical motor . . . typically exceeds 750 watts and capable of generating speed when powered solely by the motor of 20 miles per hour or more." The change is intended to distinguish slower, state‑classified e‑bikes from larger, motorcycle‑style devices that committee members said pose greater public‑safety risks.

Committee members and staff emphasized public safety, enforcement practicality and public education. The committee chairman said the effort has been under review for roughly six months and called it "a huge public safety issue," noting police reported more than 100 recent stops — mostly educational warnings — related to electric bikes and similar devices. Police and parks staff said officers need clear, enforceable language and signage that is easy to interpret in the field.

Parks staff sought consistency in speed limits across park‑managed facilities and recommended 15 miles per hour for trails in parks unless posted otherwise, while acknowledging some perimeter and street‑adjacent paths may be appropriate for higher posted limits. Committee members discussed alternatives to broad signposting — such as posting limits at trail entrances or using thermoplastic markings — and asked parks and engineering staff to provide a quick cost and location assessment for signage.

The draft requires operators of micromobility devices to comply with state e‑bike rules where applicable and explicitly prohibits eMoto devices from use on multiuse paths and sidewalks. Members also asked staff to clarify impoundment language and the disposition timeframe for impounded devices, and to make explicit how juvenile penalties or fines might attach to guardians, since officers and the judge had raised concerns about how to address juvenile operators.

Public education was a repeated priority. Committee members asked city marketing, police, fire, parks, and schools to coordinate outreach — including simple graphics that distinguish device types and pre‑holiday messaging aimed at parents and buyers — and to consider targeted channels beyond the city newsletter. Several members proposed a near‑term interdepartmental meeting to finalize messaging before the holiday shopping season.

The committee moved the draft back to the City Council with a favorable recommendation and referrals to the relevant commissions. The motion passed unanimously, recorded as 4–0 in favor. The committee did not adopt a specific effective date in the meeting minutes beyond a reference to a January 1 effective date in the draft; staff said they will confirm timing and any fiscal impacts.

Staff identified remaining work: harmonizing park board regulations with the draft city code language, confirming helmet rules and age thresholds with state statute, finalizing signage language and locations, clarifying parental/guardian liability and impoundment procedures, and producing an education campaign for device types and safety.

What’s next: staff will produce a signage cost/location estimate and proposed public‑education materials, legal staff will refine ordinance language based on committee input, and the administration and staff agreed to convene a messaging meeting with parks, engineering, DOCS, police, fire and schools to coordinate outreach.