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Council and police discuss drafting ordinance for e-bikes, golf carts and low-speed vehicles
Summary
Council members and Sergeant Adams discussed growing safety concerns about e-bikes, golf carts and low-speed utility vehicles — particularly minors riding at high speeds — and asked staff to draft clear ordinance language with police input to avoid enforcement problems.
City staff and councilmembers at the April 16 meeting discussed a plan to draft local rules covering e-bikes, golf carts and other low-speed electric vehicles after several councilmembers described seeing children riding at high speeds and enforcement confusion.
Sergeant Adams and councilmembers described safety concerns about minors operating electric bikes and low-speed vehicles without helmets, instances of multiple riders and vehicles modified to exceed safety classes, and uncertainty among police about how to enforce unclear local ordinances. Council members said they wanted ordinance language that would be enforceable and advised staff to involve law enforcement in drafting.
Council member Harrison and others said they had observed riders who appeared too young or who were traveling at high speeds. Officials also discussed licensing and registration questions and whether the city could set local rules that are more restrictive than state law while remaining enforceable; the council noted that as a charter city it may adopt some local restrictions but cannot create criminal offenses beyond state law.
Members asked staff to circulate draft language and to work with the police department to ensure clarity for enforcement. No ordinance was introduced or voted on during the April 16 meeting; the discussion was framed as direction to staff and law enforcement to prepare a draft for future council consideration.
