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Edina council narrowly directs staff to draft ordinance repealing sidewalk e‑bike ban
Summary
On a 3–2 vote, the Edina City Council directed staff to draft an ordinance to repeal the 2025 ban on electric‑assist bicycles on public sidewalks, asking staff to return with draft language, signage proposals and accident/complaint data before second reading.
The Edina City Council voted 3–2 on March 3 to direct staff to prepare an ordinance that would repeal the city’s 2025 ban on electric‑assist bicycles (e‑bikes) on public sidewalks and return with draft language, public‑education plans and safety data.
Supporters of the move, including members who said they were concerned about discouraging e‑bike adoption, argued that the existing ban could force less‑confident riders into traffic lanes where protected bike facilities are lacking. Commissioner Chris Brown, representing the Transportation Commission, said the commission recommends allowing class 1 and 2 e‑bikes on sidewalks while continuing education and then evaluating pilot results: “We recommend … consider implementing a one‑year pilot period with safety and compliance evaluation presented to the council one year after that change,” he said.
Opponents voiced safety concerns for pedestrians and older residents. A member of the council noted police reports of frequent complaints about e‑bikes last year and said the group decided to keep riders in the street initially: “We were getting quite a few concerns expressed about, especially, seniors, encountering speeding kids on e‑bikes on sidewalks, and that’s why we decided to keep them in the street,” the council member said. Police lieutenant briefed council staff that the 94 e‑bike complaints recorded in 2025 were general e‑bike complaints (helmet use, reckless riding, citations) and not specifically tracked by sidewalk incidents.
Council members who voted to direct staff said they wanted clearer, Edina‑specific data and an ordinance drafted that would allow staff and council to weigh safety tools such as signage and yield‑to‑pedestrian language. The motion instructs staff to draft an ordinance repealing the sidewalk ban and to return with data and a draft for first reading, along with an outreach plan.
Next steps: staff will draft the ordinance language and report back with available accident and complaint data and proposed public‑education measures prior to bringing the item back for formal readings and vote.
