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Police propose new rules for high‑powered e‑bikes and mini‑motorcycles after crashes and complaints
Summary
Police proposed an ordinance to define and restrict 'motorized play vehicles'—high‑power electric bikes and mini‑motorcycles—banning them from streets, sidewalks and parks, giving first offenses as warnings and enabling juvenile referrals or adult traffic summonses for older riders; the city introduced the ordinance (Bill 7865) for consideration.
Lieutenant Jeff Cook and Officer Nicole Savant presented the council with data and enforcement recommendations on motorized play vehicles—electric minibikes, pocket bikes and high‑wattage scooters—that the department has seen traveling at speeds well above legal e‑bike limits and, in several cases, causing serious injury.
What the department proposed: define a new class, "motorized play vehicle," to capture devices exceeding five miles per hour and/or lacking required human propulsion (pedals). Devices over an electric‑power threshold equivalent to 3 brake horsepower (presented as 2,237W in the briefing) would be treated as motorcycles for enforcement purposes. The ordinance would: (1) prohibit these devices on city streets, sidewalks and parks; (2) require graduated enforcement—warnings for first offenses, juvenile referrals for those under the municipal traffic threshold and municipal summonses for riders 15.5 years and older; (3) authorize towing of vehicles at owner expense; and (4) allow parental‑responsibility fines for repeat juvenile offenses.
Why it matters: Officers reported multiple injury‑requiring incidents during 2025–26 and said many devices currently fall outside clear code definitions, complicating enforcement. The change aims to reduce dangerous riding on neighborhood streets and sidewalks while preserving legal e‑bike use for mobility.
Next steps: Council introduced Bill 7865 on first reading that evening. Staff and the municipal prosecutor provided suggested penalties and enforcement language; the ordinance will return for committee or second reading per the council calendar.
