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Hartland board directs staff and police to draft e‑bike and e‑scooter ordinance
Summary
Trustee Hallquist urged the board to draft regulations addressing electric bicycles and scooters; after discussion of state classifications and enforceability, the board voted to have police, staff and legal counsel draft an ordinance for review at a future meeting.
Trustee Hallquist asked the Village of Hartland board to begin drafting an ordinance to regulate electric bicycles and electric scooters, citing safety concerns for pedestrians and older residents who use village paths.
The police chief reviewed applicable state statute classifications—class 1 and 2 e‑bikes (assist up to 20 mph), class 3 e‑bikes (assist up to 28 mph), and electric scooters (devices under 100 lb and maximum speed not more than 20 mph)—and described enforcement and litigation issues other municipalities have faced. The chief also noted that some communities prohibit certain scooters on roadways with speed limits over 25 mph and restrict sidewalk operation by age.
Trustees discussed possible measures including speed limits when pedestrians are present, helmet requirements for younger riders, designated parking areas, and the difficulty of policing precise speed limits on trails. Trustee Hallquist proposed using the Village of Greendale’s draft language as a template and recommended that the village attorney review any draft for legal risk.
By motion, the board directed staff and the police department to work with Trustee Hallquist and legal counsel to draft an ordinance for the board’s review at a future meeting. Trustees emphasized the intent is to put a baseline policy on the books that can be refined in future readings rather than to create a heavily prescriptive rule that could face legal challenges.
Staff said they aim to have a draft available for review in time for subsequent ordinance readings, and that multiple readings would allow trustees to refine any age, helmet, or speed provisions.
