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Salem reviews draft e‑bike ordinance as council raises safety and enforcement concerns
Summary
Police and the city attorney presented a draft e‑bike ordinance for council review. Councilmembers and staff raised safety concerns about youth e‑bike riders, potential enforcement challenges and whether to limit e‑bike use in parks or certain routes.
The Salem City Council examined a draft e‑bike ordinance on April 1 after Police Chief Greg Gurney and City Attorney Walter Bird introduced the draft for council review.
Discussion focused on safety concerns, especially involving young riders operating e‑bikes in a way that creates hazards for themselves and others. Councilperson Craig Sacco said he experienced safety problems while riding an e‑bike at Arrowhead and requested that the parkway be swept to improve safety for children and school routes. Council members asked whether enforcement would fall to police officers and noted difficulties when riders flee from officers.
Staff discussed options including restricting some areas to pedal‑bikes only and reiterated that bicycles are currently not allowed in city parks. No ordinance vote was taken; the draft ordinance will be distributed to council members for further review and feedback. The transcript referenced recent state legislation (HB 81/381) as context for the draft; staff did not present final ordinance language or an enforcement plan at the meeting.
