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Hastings begins drafting e‑scooter ordinance, seeks work session and education approach
Summary
Council opened extensive discussion on a proposed ordinance to regulate e‑scooters and one‑wheel devices, debating helmets for youth, sidewalk prohibitions in business districts, speed/road restrictions, hours of operation, education via schools and enforcement challenges; police cited recent crashes including an adult DUI incident.
The Hastings City Council opened a broad discussion on a draft ordinance to regulate electric scooters and similar single‑wheel devices, aiming to produce a workable document at a work session in October.
Staff presented a redlined draft that would ban operation on roads with speed limits above 25 mph (keeping devices off roads posted at 30 mph or higher), prohibit use on sidewalks within business districts, and require riders on sidewalks to yield to pedestrians. The draft also raised questions about hours of operation (sunrise to sunset), visibility requirements and possible helmet rules for young riders.
Council members and the police chief discussed enforceability and safety. Several council members raised the goal of educating youth through school resource officers rather than immediately resorting to fines. Police said there have been incidents: "In the recent past, we've had one device hit a truck... they were drunk, so they got arrested for DUI," the chief said, and officers have responded to crashes and citizen complaints about reckless operation. Police have provided education but said enforcement options are constrained without specific ordinance language.
Council directed staff and the chief to gather examples from other municipalities, work with schools on education, and bring the topic back for a formal work session with the aim of adopting an ordinance in October.
