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Residents and business leaders press Broken Bow council on electric-bike safety; police drafting ordinance
Summary
Local business leaders and a resident urged the city to address fast-moving electric bikes on sidewalks and streets; Police Chief Chris Anderson said the department has received more complaints and is preparing a draft ordinance for council review.
At the May 12 meeting of the Broken Bow City Council, two business leaders and a resident urged elected officials to take steps to address public-safety concerns posed by electric bikes.
Scotti Ross, Executive Director of the Custer Economic Development Corporation, and Stephanie Grafel, Executive Director of the Broken Bow Chamber, told the council they have observed close calls between pedestrians and riders traveling at high speeds on sidewalks and cited multiple complaints from patrons and businesses. They urged the Police Department and city leaders to review the situation and consider an ordinance to improve compliance and safety; they also suggested partnering with Broken Bow Public Schools on a safety assembly.
Resident Nancee Coufal said classifications of electric bikes allow speeds that could cause significant injury to children if they crash and asked the council to consider options that place some responsibility on parents. Police Chief Chris Anderson acknowledged the increase in complaints and said the main enforcement challenge is catching an offender in the act; he said he has started drafting an ordinance for City Council review. City Attorney Jason White indicated legal review will be part of the process, and Mayor Rod Sonnichsen asked for patience as the draft is reviewed.
The council did not vote on an ordinance at the meeting; members expressed interest in balancing safety and recreational use while moving toward a proposed regulatory solution.
