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Council advances first reading of e-bike ordinance, plans education and infrastructure steps
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Summary
The council approved first reading of an ordinance to regulate electrically assisted bicycles, endorsing helmet-age provisions and removing an insurance clause to avoid conflict with Minnesota statute; members also discussed adding bike racks and signage and coordinating education efforts such as a bike rodeo.
The International Falls City Council advanced a first reading of an ordinance intended to regulate electrically assisted bicycles in the city. City Attorney Chelsea Nelson said the draft largely follows an ordinance used by Hastings, with two notable modifications: an optional helmet requirement for riders aged 15 to 18 and omission of an insurance requirement to avoid conflicts with changing Minnesota statutes.
Nelson said the city can keep elements of the draft that do not conflict with state law; she recommended removing the insurance section to prevent future contradictions. Chief Burley told the council the ordinance is overdue, noting growing numbers of bikes and a desire to prioritize citizen safety; he said the police would work to educate citizens before strict enforcement.
Councilor Wegener and others discussed complementary steps the city can take alongside the ordinance, including installing additional bike racks downtown to redirect parking away from Main Street, adding signage, and temporarily restricting sidewalk bicycle use during high-activity events such as the Fourth of July and the bass tournament. Councilors said the bike rodeo scheduled for the weekend (Carrie Park) will support education and helmet distribution.
The council voted to approve the ordinance on first reading and referred parts of implementation (racks, signage, education) to the public works committee for follow-up and public outreach.
