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Resident urges St. Marys to curb e-bike and scooter risks; council schedules streets-and-sidewalks meeting
Summary
A resident, Britney LN, urged the council to consider ordinances or age limits and helmet requirements for battery-powered e-bikes and scooters after citing higher speeds and a claimed rise in injuries; council agreed to schedule a streets-and-sidewalks committee meeting to examine the issue further.
Resident Britney LN addressed the St. Marys City Council during public comment to call for action on electric bicycles and scooters, saying the heavier, faster devices increase the risk of serious injury to riders and pedestrians.
"They have battery powered motors that can take riders up to 20 to 20 miles per hour," Britney said, and added that helmets are not always legally required for such devices. She described a recent incident involving a child and said, "Helmets prevent brain and facial injuries tremendously and reduce severe brain trauma by 90 percent." Britney also said injuries have "skyrocketed by 50 percent in the last 4 years," a figure she cited to emphasize urgency.
Councilmembers and staff discussed precedent and options. One councilmember noted the city ordinance gives the council authority to regulate operation and safety requirements; another reported contacting other Ohio communities that had considered local legislation. A participant noted Pennsylvania treats some devices as motor vehicles and prohibits them in that state.
Council scheduled two community committee meetings in September to continue review: a 5:15 p.m. solid-waste rate-study meeting and a 5:45 p.m. streets-and-sidewalks meeting to discuss motorized scooters and bicycles and safety measures. The meeting times were to be confirmed at the Sept. 8 meeting.
Why it matters: The discussion launches a local policy review on whether and how to regulate the operation and safety of e-bikes and scooters near schools and crowded areas. No ordinance was introduced or adopted at this meeting.
What’s next: Committee meetings in September will provide staff and council an opportunity to gather data and consider potential ordinance language, enforcement options, and public education steps.
