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Residents urge Bluffton council to act on e-bike safety after near-misses and high-speed rides
Summary
During public comment, residents described near-miss encounters with high-speed electric bicycles and urged the council to consider regulations, safety measures, and better enforcement; councilmembers acknowledged the issue and said it will be discussed with county partners.
Multiple residents used the Jan. 13 public-comment period to ask the Bluffton Town Council to address safety concerns about electric bicycles.
Emmett McCracken (self-identified at the podium) described two specific incidents — one on the UGCO bridge and another at a major intersection near Town Hall — in which e-bikes crossed intersections or rode abreast at high speed, leaving pedestrians vulnerable because many e-bikes lack audible warnings or lights. McCracken said riders "seem to only operate at full speed" and described them as "silent and almost can sneak up on you." He asked the council to consider whether e-bikes should be restricted to streets or sidewalks and called for safety regulations.
Will Howard, speaking as a resident later in the public-comment period, echoed concerns about e-bike safety. Councilmembers responded that the problem is not unique to Bluffton and that the town has intentions to evaluate options. One councilmember noted a separate incident involving a group of youths and said visibility (lights/reflectors) is a common hazard. Councilmembers asked staff to put the issue on the town’s radar for follow-up and suggested coordination with Beaufort County.
The council did not take immediate action but directed staff to add the item for future consideration.
