Victoria adopts e-bike and motorized scooter ordinance; requires helmets for under‑18 riders

The Victoria City Council adopted Ordinance 472MC on March 23 to update parks and recreation rules governing e-bikes and motorized foot scooters. The ordinance aligns local definitions with Minnesota statute, clarifies where devices may be operated, and adds a city-level safety requirement that operators under 18 must wear helmets.

Associate Planner Travis Beerley explained the changes: e-bikes (three classes by state statute) remain permitted where bicycles are allowed (streets, trails, and sidewalks as appropriate under local rules) with a local speed cap of 15 mph; operators must be at least 15 years old and may ride solo (no passengers). Motorized foot scooters (stand‑up devices and similar) are allowed on trails and streets but generally not on sidewalks; operators must be 12 or older and must wear helmets if under 18, mirroring the helmet requirement added for e-bikes.

Beerley said the ordinance limits enforcement on non‑city property (for example, certain regional trails) and focuses city enforcement on city‑owned property. Council members asked questions about enforceability, helmet compliance and whether additional behavior rules—such as restricting phone use while operating—should be considered in the future. Staff said education would be a primary tool and that further ordinance refinements could be explored later.

Council voted to adopt the ordinance and to authorize summary publication.