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Council asks staff to study e-bike and e-motorcycle safety after residents report high-speed, unregulated devices
Summary
After repeated public reports of high-speed e-motorcycles and risky behavior near schools and downtown, the council directed staff to research possible local responses (buyer'guides, school registration pilots, legislative advocacy and enforcement strategies) and report back within roughly 60 days.
Council members asked town staff to analyze potential measures to address the public-safety concerns arising from illegally powered e-bikes and e-motorcycles.
The discussion grew out of multiple public comments and council observations about fast, off-road-style electric motorcycles and unregulated imports (brands cited by a student speaker included Suron and similar models). Commenters described near-misses with pedestrians and high speeds in downtown and school zones. A student speaker urged registration, enforcement and education; business-owners and bike-shop managers attending later offered to help draft buyer'guides and run safety classes for young riders.
Council members Risto and Vice Mayor Moore proposed a pragmatic four-part approach: (1) a buyer'and-parents guide explaining legal classes of e-bikes versus illegal e-motorcycles; (2) a school-based registration pilot so only registered, compliant bikes may park on campus; (3) support for state-level legislation to close gaps and clarify tow/penalty authority; and (4) targeted enforcement guidance for the police department. Police and staff noted constraints in personnel and existing law and recommended the town first scope a feasible plan and consult the school district.
The council voted unanimously to direct staff to research the options, consult stakeholders (schools, bike shops, Safe Routes to School and the police department) and report back with a scoped recommendation within approximately two months. The staff study will assess legal tools, likely workload, enforcement trade-offs, community education resources and costs.
What comes next: Staff will survey local schools and retailers, summarize existing state bills and enforcement options, estimate staff-hours and outline funding or partnership approaches to implement the items the council finds most viable.
