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Commission weighs e‑bike, scooter safety and favors education over broad enforcement
Summary
Cottage Grove commissioners and public‑safety staff discussed rising e‑bike and scooter incidents, recommended education and partnerships (schools, shops, nonprofits) and flagged possible future enforcement or ordinance review; no ordinance changes or formal votes were taken.
Brad, a public safety representative, told the Cottage Grove Commission the city is starting a "ride safe" education campaign aimed at clarifying distinctions between scooters, e‑bikes and mini/dirt bikes and improving rider safety.
Brad said the city recorded year‑to‑date counts in 2025 that include seven scooter accidents (three involving enforcement contact), two e‑bike violations and two e‑bike crashes; staff also logged 16 complaints about mini/dirt bikes, noting some callers reported the same repeated incidents. "We did have a couple of e‑bike crashes happened just within the last couple weeks," Brad said, adding that some incidents likely go unreported. (Brad provided these counts during his presentation.)
The commission questioned legal gray areas. A committee member asked whether riders on sidewalks must follow crosswalk signals; Brad summarized the distinction this way: sidewalk riders should obey crosswalk signals, while riders in vehicle lanes must obey traffic laws. He called the sidewalk/road classification "a little bit open to interpretation."
Commissioners and attendees emphasized an education‑first approach. Chair praised the education initiative and several members urged outreach to schools and local retailers as a cost‑effective way to reach young riders. "A lot of these people who are getting these don't know what they don't know," the Chair said. Brad said staff will pursue school partnerships and look for grant opportunities to help provide helmets or coupons and to incentivize safe riding.
Residents raised safety concerns about underage riders and protective equipment. One resident described seeing a 12‑year‑old riding an e‑bike without a helmet and carrying a passenger on pegs, calling the lack of protective equipment "frightening" and urging helmet distribution efforts. Brad said staff will look for nonprofit and community partners and consider incentive programs similar to past bicycle helmet efforts.
Brad also flagged enforcement limits: trails are currently posted at a 15 mph advisory maximum, but enforcement (for example, running radar on trails) is impractical. He suggested the council keep speed postings and trail design on its radar for future consideration rather than moving immediately to new restrictions.
The presentation closed with Brad asking commissioners and residents to continue sending feedback between meetings. There were no ordinance changes, motions, or votes tied to e‑bike or scooter regulation at this meeting.
