Neenah says draft e-scooter and e-bike ordinance coming; city plans education and helmet emphasis

Neenah officials told the Common Council on April 1 that draft ordinances regulating electric scooters and e-bikes are ready to be brought forward and that initial enforcement will be paired with education and helmet measures.

Alderman Ericson asked for an update on the status of rules for electric scooters and bikes after noting an increase in riders in intersections. Mayor Lang said the city has been working with the police chief, neighboring municipalities and municipal attorneys to align rules where jurisdictions overlap and that draft ordinances are ready to present. "We're going to meet tomorrow with the chief and myself and Becky and a few others... probably within the next month we'll have a proposed ordinance," the mayor said. She added that education efforts are planned — including an event on June 5 — and that mandatory helmet measures are being considered as part of initial enforcement and outreach.

Why it matters: council members said increased springtime scooter and bike use raises safety concerns at intersections; a coordinated ordinance and education campaign is intended to reduce crash risk and provide consistent enforcement across neighboring jurisdictions.

Next steps: the chief and staff are expected to present a proposed ordinance to the council soon and to coordinate public education and helmet-distribution/education events.

(Reporting based on council discussion at the April 1, 2026 meeting.)