Alexandria Board of Works adopts ordinance regulating e-bikes and e-scooters

The Alexandria Board of Works on the evening of the meeting adopted an ordinance regulating electric bicycles and electric foot scooters within the city.

The ordinance — presented at its second reading — adds a prohibition on riding at night, sets hours of operation, and applies a minimum operator age that aligns with state law for class 3 e-bikes. A provision clarifies that parents can be held liable for up to $5,000 in actual damages for harm caused by a minor’s operation of an e-bike or e-scooter, a point staff said is “pursuant to state law.”

Council members who spoke during the discussion emphasized safety. “I like the addition that was put in there with the prohibition against riding at night,” a council member said during debate, noting serious daytime accidents had already occurred. City staff said the ordinance incorporates comments from the first reading and expands coverage to include e-scooters.

Roger Kuno moved to adopt the ordinance, and Donna Keer seconded the motion. A roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes from the members present — Roger Kuno, Wendy Goens, Amy Mccur, Dave Black, Donna Keer and Jeremy Bannerman — and the ordinance passed.

The ordinance text as presented to the board did not include an ordinance number in the transcript and the city clerk will publish the final adopted language and any ordinance number once clerical processing is complete. The board may enforce hours and age limits consistent with the municipal ordinance and the referenced state law.

The board also discussed implementation details and parental-liability language; staff said the parental-liability provision reflects state statutory language rather than a new local standard. The council did not specify an effective date in the meeting transcript. The board set no additional hearing and adjourned after completing other business.