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Tenino resident urges council to plan for e-bikes, scooters as micromobility grows
Summary
John O'Hallie of 1432 Sussex Ave. addressed the council during public comment, urging policy changes to allow and regulate e-bikes and e-scooters, recommending age, licensing and registration rules for higher-speed models and arguing micromobility will expand as gas vehicles are phased out.
John O'Hallie, a Tenino resident, used public comment time to urge the council to consider permitting and regulating e-bikes and e-scooters as micromobility grows.
O'Hallie said micromobility is already outpacing e-cars in some markets and that vehicle classes and speed limits should guide local rules. He described different e-bike classes and recommended age and licensing limits for faster machines, suggesting 16 and a driver’s license for higher-speed devices, and recommended VIN registration for high-powered models.
He also warned about unregulated high-speed devices that lack pedals and can reach 50–75 miles per hour, and encouraged the city to consider local rules and safety measures rather than prohibitions. “If they're 16, they gotta get driver's license, then they can step up to the faster ones,” O'Hallie said.
The council thanked O'Hallie for raising the topic and suggested staff research state law and safety frameworks before the council considers any formal local code changes.
Next steps: Council requested staff to check existing state classifications and enforcement options and to provide guidance to the council if the topic is to be taken up in code updates or transportation planning.
