Committee to study ordinance for e‑scooters and e‑bikes; seeks volunteer to work with police

Agency official (S2) told the committee that electric scooters and e-bikes are becoming more common locally and urged the planning committee to begin ordinance work. "If we create a new law, it's gonna require public hearing. It's gonna require our attorney to take a peek at it," S2 said, and asked for a committee volunteer to work with Sergeant Matt drafting sample language.

S2 said other municipalities (Waunakee, Mount Horeb, Madison) already have ordinances and shared sample language; she cited safety and trail damage concerns and noted that some scooters are capable of speeds she called unsafe in mixed-use areas: "these things go 30 miles an hour." The committee discussed that any village ordinance would need careful definition of allowed areas, enforcement mechanisms and a public‑hearing process.

Why it matters: without local rules, scooters and e-bikes can present safety risks on sidewalks, trails and in parks and may require enforcement resources. The committee agreed to seek a volunteer from its membership to work with Matt and report back.

Next steps: S2 will circulate sample ordinances and ask for a volunteer; the proposed draft will be reviewed by the village attorney and brought to the board for public hearing if the committee recommends it.