Bowling Green council tables micro-mobility ordinance after debate over sidewalk rules

Bowling Green City Council on the evening’s agenda debated Ordinance 9303, an amendment to the city code addressing low-speed micro-mobility devices, then voted to table the measure for further work and returned it to a future meeting (tabled until Sept. 15).

Council members dug into technical definitions and enforcement questions during the discussion. Council member Harreld said the proposal "may not be operated on sidewalks" raised practical concerns for people with scooters or lightweight devices and stressed that speed, not the device’s motorization, is the salient safety factor: "If something's electric and you're not going that fast, that's no really no different than a regular bike or scooter," he said, arguing parents should not be put in the position of telling children to break the law or ride in the street.

City staff member Hunter, who has been involved in drafting the amendment, urged clarity and cautioned against leaving competing code sections unresolved: "We currently have competing pieces of legislation… if we don't do anything, it remains in place as a problem," he said, and recommended targeted amendments if council wanted changes. Planning-related staff described the draft language as intended to mirror higher-level definitions, with exemptions for medical-use devices while restricting faster motorized units.

Council members discussed several options — voting no, offering amendments or tabling for more work — and ultimately a motion to table passed. The clerk recorded that Ordinance 9303 is tabled until Sept. 15. No final policy change was adopted; the ordinance will return to council for further consideration with possible amendments and clarified language.