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Council advances first reading of ordinance rewriting rules for e-bikes and other personal-transportation devices
Summary
The Clive City Council voted 4-1 to advance Ordinance 1178 in its first reading, a broad rewrite updating device definitions, adding trail and street rules, and prescribing an education-first enforcement period before fines take effect.
The Clive City Council advanced the first reading of Ordinance 1178 on May 14 after a lengthy presentation and public comment on how to regulate a growing variety of personal transportation devices.
City staff described the measure as a near-complete rewrite of Clive's bicycle code to modernize definitions and address new devices such as small electric scooters, low-speed e-bikes and larger e-motorcycles. The ordinance adopts the current state standard that caps low-speed e-bikes at motors that "produce not more than 750 watts," clarifies braking and lighting requirements, and groups devices under a broad "personal transportation device" definition designed to accommodate future, emerging devices.
The ordinance makes two notable place-of-riding adjustments: many personal-transportation devices would be allowed on local streets with speed limits of 25 mph or less, and where a multiuse trail or bicycle lane immediately parallels a street, operators of certain devices would be directed to use the trail or lane. The draft explicitly carves out bicycles and low-speed e-bikes from some of the stricter rules that apply to other devices. Staff also told council that larger eMotos or mopeds likely will require registration and a driver's license depending on motor size and top speed.
Police leadership emphasized an education-first approach to implementation. The police chief noted that the ordinance "does establish a speed limit of 20 miles an hour" for trail use, but described that limit as a regional standard and said enforcement would begin with a yearlong public-education period before fines and administrative citations are issued. The chief also said the city does not plan active enforcement until July 1, 2027, and that ordinary violations would carry a modest administrative fine ($25) while more dangerous behaviors could be handled as criminal matters.
Bicycling advocates urged clearer language and targeted changes. Alex Rice, executive director of The Street Collective, said he appreciated staff's willingness to incorporate feedback but flagged several drafting issues that could be read as banning bicycles from some streets. "My reading of the ordinance still seems to show that that would prohibit bikes from streets," Rice said, urging the council to clean up definitions and revisit a blanket 20 mph limit for trails that vary in grade and sight lines.
Councilmembers said they want to preserve cyclists' access while balancing safety. After discussion and the acceptance of future edits, Councilmember S6 moved the ordinance for first reading; the motion passed 4-1. Staff said they expect a limited number of clarifying edits in response to public comments and will return the ordinance for additional readings and final adoption.
What happens next: The ordinance now moves to subsequent readings where councilmembers may adopt clarifying edits. Staff emphasized planned outreach and an education campaign in the months before any enforcement takes effect.
