Ashwaubenon committee delays decision on local rules for e-bikes and e-scooters

The Ashwaubenon Public Works/Transportation Committee on an unspecified date discussed whether the village should adopt a local ordinance to define and regulate electric bicycles, electric scooters and other motorized personal devices and voted to postpone any formal recommendation until a future meeting.

Committee staff told members that Wisconsin traffic law generally allows electric bicycles and scooters to operate on roadways as vehicles but prohibits their use on sidewalks, trails or bike lanes unless a municipality explicitly authorizes it in local code. "Electric bicycles as defined under statute...would be permitted to operate just like any other bicycle," said Unidentified Speaker 3, who presented the memorandum and survey of neighboring cities. The presenter noted the village’s existing code already allows conventional bicycles on sidewalks, creating a disconnect with the state baseline.

Why it matters: The committee flagged safety and enforcement trade-offs. Members described young riders using scooters on neighborhood sidewalks without helmets and questioned whether allowing sidewalk use would help or worsen pedestrian safety. "If you're gonna use this tool, how you use it? No different than a bicycle," a committee member said, emphasizing education as part of any policy change.

What was discussed: Staff reviewed statutory definitions—distinguishing pedal-assist e-bikes (which may qualify under statute) from heavier electric motorbikes that do not—and noted practical difficulties for enforcement officers to identify e-bike classes in the field. The committee considered examples from nearby municipalities: Green Bay permits e-bikes and scooters to operate like pedal bikes on roadways and allows sidewalk use in some residential areas but not commercial sidewalks; Howard permits use on bike and shared-use paths but not sidewalks; Madison and Eau Claire prohibit sidewalk riding and use signage such as "walk your wheels" downtown.

Recommendations and next steps: Committee members and staff agreed additional work was needed before drafting a proposed ordinance. That includes clarifying local definitions to match state classifications, considering whether to regulate rental vendors, planning public education (for example, adding scooter content to the village's bike rodeo and social media), and aligning village policy with neighboring jurisdictions to reduce cross-border confusion. Staff also flagged the need to define where bicycles, shared-use paths and sidewalks differ in width and intended use to guide any code language.

The vote: After discussion, a member moved to postpone action so the committee could refine recommendations and secure broader participation; the motion was approved by voice vote and recorded as carried. The committee set the topic to return on a future agenda for further consideration.

What the committee did not decide: No ordinance language was adopted; there was no vote to ban or permit scooters or to require helmets. Several members requested staff return with clearer options, potential signage, and outreach plans for parents and young riders.

Next scheduled steps: Staff said they will refine the committee’s options, incorporate examples from neighboring municipalities, and bring a more detailed recommendation and draft ordinance language to the committee at a later meeting.