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Council debates enforcement, ordinance clarity after downtown e-bike complaints
Summary
Councilmembers described near-miss incidents involving electric bicycles downtown and called for clearer local rules and police guidance; members urged inviting the police chief to explain what the force can reasonably enforce.
Councilmembers on June 2 said they are hearing growing complaints about electric bicycles and small motorized vehicles operating on sidewalks and downtown streets and urged clearer local rules or enforcement guidance.
"It's getting to the point where we got to get Mr. O'Donnell involved and look at our... ordinance on that because it's not stopping," Councilmember Waxley said, describing calls from downtown store owners who reported near-misses and collisions. He asked whether council could change the city code or increase enforcement.
Council members and staff agreed the current ordinance is ambiguous about pedal-assist bicycles and other electric-powered devices. "If you are using your electric assist... anything other than pedaling or coasting... you're violating the ordinance," a staff explanation said, but several members replied that the practical problem is police enforcement: by the time officers arrive the devices and riders are gone.
Mr. Hancock described a personal encounter: "We come to the stop sign. That bike stops... and goes right through." He and others urged a two-track approach: tighten ordinance language where legally possible, and ask the police chief to explain what the department can enforce and whether targeted education or licensing is appropriate.
Council suggested inviting Chief Herbert to a future meeting to detail enforcement limits and to discuss whether code changes should exempt ADA mobility devices while restricting electric scooters and noncompliant vehicles downtown. Several members emphasized public education coupled with clearer rules rather than passing unenforceable language.
No ordinance or formal change was adopted at the meeting; council directed staff to arrange a presentation by the police chief and to review possible code clarifications for future consideration.
