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Tonganoxie adopts ordinance banning motorized e-devices in parks, sets 15 mph sidewalk limit
Summary
The Tonganoxie City Council on April 20 adopted Ordinance 1548 prohibiting battery- or motor-powered e-bikes, e-scooters and motorized skateboards on city parks and trails, and set a 15 mph speed cap for electric-assisted bicycles on sidewalks; the move follows resident safety concerns and staff recommendations.
The Tonganoxie City Council on April 20 adopted Ordinance 1548, restricting the operation of electric-assisted bicycles, electric scooters, motorized skateboards and motorcycles on city parkland and trails and limiting electric-assisted bicycle speeds on sidewalks to 15 miles per hour.
Council members debated the measure after a resident described burnouts, ruts and near-miss incidents involving children, seniors and stroller users at the city walking park. “We prohibited all of them at public parks and trails, period,” Chief Lawson said during the discussion, framing the proposal as a clear enforcement standard for the police department.
City staff, led by Mr. Brookovich, told the council the draft ordinance aligns with regional conversations and seeks to tailor rules to Tonganoxie’s unique layout. Staff recommended a simple, enforceable rule rather than a classification system tied to device classes; the ordinance sets a 15 mph speed limit for electric-assisted bicycles on sidewalks and establishes 15 years of age as a minimum operating threshold for certain higher‑powered devices.
Council members also discussed education and community outreach. One councilor proposed partnering with the recreation department and local organizations to hold bike-safety events that include helmet distribution and instruction; staff agreed those programs would be a community-strengthening complement to the ordinance but said education would not be used to waive restrictions on motorized devices in parks.
Mr. Dale moved passage of Ordinance 1548; Miss McCutchen seconded. The motion carried.
The ordinance amends section 14-102 of the Tonganoxie city code and directs staff to coordinate signage and public information to reflect the new prohibitions and speed limit. Enforcement will be handled by the police department under the city’s traffic regulations, and staff said they will return as needed with clarifications or implementing language.
