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Council adopts ordinance regulating e-bikes, scooters and similar devices
Summary
Salem adopted a municipal-code amendment to regulate electric-assisted bicycles, motor-assisted scooters, e-bikes and high-power electric devices, clarifying pedestrian right-of-way, age and helmet requirements and delegating trail designation authority; council asked about enforcement and resident education.
The Salem City Council adopted an ordinance on April 15 to regulate electric-assisted bicycles, motor-assisted scooters, e-bikes and high‑power electric devices in the city.
City Attorney Walter Bird and Police Chief Greg Gurney presented the proposed municipal-code changes, which spell out that pedestrians retain right-of-way on all paths and trails, set age-related restrictions and refer to Section 3 for trail- and area-specific designations. Bird also noted that state law requires helmets for operators under age 21 for applicable devices.
Councilperson Craig Sacco asked how commercial areas would be designated and how the city plans to educate residents about the new rules; staff said the ordinance provides a framework and that an education effort would follow adoption. During public comment a resident asked how to access supporting documents; Mayor Cristy Simons directed citizens to contact city offices for agenda materials.
Councilperson Sacco moved to adopt the ordinance; Councilperson Cynthia Deveraux Rees seconded and the motion passed unanimously among the council members present. The ordinance provides framework language and delegates further trail‑designation detail to staff and code sections identified in the ordinance.
