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Virginia Beach council backs task force education and safety plan but defers opening boardwalk bike path to ebikes
Summary
A mayor-appointed eBike task force recommended state-level regulation, targeted education, signage and a possible code change to allow ebikes on the resort bike path with posted speeds. Council supported policy and education recommendations but most members urged deferring any code change to allow ebikes on the resort bike path until enforcement, signage and speed controls are in place.
City staff presented recommendations from the eBike Safety Task Force and asked council whether to adopt the task force’s policy and education proposals and whether to amend local code to allow ebikes on the resort bike path.
The presenter summarized the task force’s work (four meetings, Nov 2025–Mar 2026), explained the three e‑bike classes (class 1 pedal‑assist up to 20 mph, class 2 throttle up to 20 mph, class 3 up to 28 mph), and said the panel’s top recommendation was to press for state regulation while implementing local communications, signage and targeted speed‑management where permitted. The task force also proposed keeping the current boardwalk prohibition in place in the resort area and suggested amending city code section 7‑59.3 to allow ebikes on the resort‑area bike path with a posted speed if council chose to do so.
Council members expressed safety and enforcement concerns in a wide-ranging discussion. Several members who live or work at the oceanfront said tourists and residents are confused about permitted locations and that class‑3 devices can surprise pedestrians. Councilmember Rosemary said allowing ebikes onto the bike path would not prevent riders from using the boardwalk: “If you say you allowed on the bike path, they’re going to still be on the boardwalk,” she said. Other council members urged stronger signage, predictable operating rules for vulnerable users (seniors, families, visitors), and additional enforcement capacity before changing the code.
Multiple members supported advancing the task force’s communications, education, and public‑safety training recommendations; many favored asking the General Assembly to consider age limits, registration, audible warnings and licensing for higher‑powered classes. The council’s prevailing direction was to pursue policy, education and signage now while deferring any city code change to permit ebikes on the resort bike path until state action, enforcement plans and speed controls are in place.
