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Residents raise e-bike sidewalk safety concerns; police and staff recommend education and review of local code
Summary
During public comments residents reported high-speed e-bikes on sidewalks near the theater and downtown; the police chief said education and limited enforcement are the near-term response, and city staff offered to monitor ordinances in neighboring towns and review the municipal bicycle code.
Residents at the May 18 Saint Marys council meeting urged action after witnessing e-bikes traveling at high speed on sidewalks — near the movie theater and other downtown locations — and said riders sometimes ignore traffic signals and fail to yield to pedestrians.
The police chief told council the issue is growing across communities and that the city had not recorded serious injuries from e-bikes in recent incidents but that education and selective enforcement are current options. City staff member Lauren noted existing municipal code restricts bicycle operation on sidewalks in commercial districts and offered to monitor how neighboring municipalities are drafting ordinances to manage higher‑powered e-bikes.
Council and staff discussed the policy trade-offs: putting younger riders on roadways could expose them to traffic risks, while allowing higher‑speed e-bikes on sidewalks can endanger pedestrians. Staff said an incremental approach — public education followed by ordinance review if needed — is the prudent first step.
The council did not take immediate regulatory action; staff will report back if they identify specific draft ordinances or propose language for local code changes.
