Kill Devil Hills board bans certain motorized e-bikes at skate park and splash pad

The Kill Devil Hills Board of Commissioners on June 8 adopted an amendment to chapter 130 of the town code to prohibit certain motorized e-bikes at the skate park and splash pad, citing safety, infrastructure damage and liability concerns.

Town staff described "Operation Ride Safe," a recent outreach effort using education and direct engagement by police and public information staff, and said staff consulted guidance from the North Carolina League of Municipalities and the skate park's original designer in drafting the amendment. The town manager told the board the amendment addresses e-bikes that are effectively small motorcycles and are not compatible with skate-park infrastructure.

A police representative told the board enforcement has relied primarily on education but that officers have recently documented a rise in incidents: "In the past eight days we've had 10 major violations of e-bikes," the representative said, adding that at least one rider reached about "40 m an hour" and that officers avoid high-speed chases of juveniles but can identify riders and notify parents.

Some board members expressed concern the ordinance could be overbroad; members agreed to exclude the nearby rink from the ordinance for now and asked staff to return with any necessary updates once the rink's future design is decided. After discussion and a motion, the board adopted the amendment by voice vote.

The ordinance, as adopted, gives staff and law enforcement another enforcement tool while retaining an emphasis on education and parent notification for juvenile incidents. The board directed staff to monitor enforcement outcomes and to bring back proposed changes if problems arise with the scope or enforceability of the rule.