Garden City council asks staff to revise draft banning high‑powered e‑motorbikes; to align rules with state classes

Garden City Council members on June 8 directed staff to refine a draft ordinance that would prohibit high‑powered electric motorbikes on the Boise River Greenbelt, in city parks and on public streets and sidewalks, while continuing to allow state‑defined Class 1–3 e‑bikes.

City attorney Mister Wadhams introduced a comprehensive draft that would ban devices he described as "high speed electric motorbikes" (initially proposed as devices exceeding 750 watts or capable of more than 20 mph) on public property and would permit penalties, parental liability language and limited impoundment by police. Wadhams emphasized that state law already defines Class 1–3 e‑bikes (750 watts, up to 28 mph) and recommended the council align local language to those established classes to reduce loopholes and avoid preemption concerns.

Police Chief Stanbaugh told the council the Greenbelt code and the countywide 'too fast for conditions' approach had worked for general enforcement but said high‑powered e‑motorbikes — which lack headlights, registration and insurance — present a distinct hazard and should be barred from public rights‑of‑way. The chief said officers already impound some of those devices and that impoundment could be used to ensure parental engagement for juveniles.

Mayor William Jacobs and several council members said they preferred matching the state classes rather than crafting a separate watt or low mph cutoff. Jacobs said the practical goal was simple: allow traditional Class 1–3 e‑bikes while banning devices that functionally are motorcycles or dirt bikes and are intended for off‑road use.

Council members discussed penalties and enforcement design. The prevailing direction was to start with an infraction (a fixed penalty, up to the statutory $300 maximum for municipal infractions) with an "escalator" provision so repeated offenses or incidents that cause injury or property damage could be charged as misdemeanors. The council also directed staff to add carve‑outs for emergency vehicles, city maintenance, and ADA mobility devices and to include sideboards on impoundment (for example, limiting impoundment to cases of reckless operation or arrest rather than routine infractions).

Mister Wadhams said he would prepare a revised draft that: (1) references state Class 1–3 definitions and bans devices that fall outside those classes from public rights‑of‑way and parks; (2) adds an escalator from infraction to misdemeanor for aggravating circumstances or repeat offenders; (3) clarifies parental liability and ADA carve‑outs; and (4) limits impoundment mechanics and costs. He committed to circulate the redraft to council members by the end of the week for review ahead of the next meeting.

The council voted to continue ordinance 10‑68‑26 for a first reading at the next meeting after staff revision.

Why it matters: Council members said the Greenbelt has become busier and that a small number of high‑powered e‑motorbikes have caused safety incidents; they framed the ordinance as a public‑safety and liability‑management effort that would also give enforcement tools to deter reckless riding while keeping normal e‑bike commuting intact.

Ending: Staff will return with a revised ordinance that aligns with state Class 1–3 definitions, includes enforcement escalators and carve‑outs, and language on impoundment trust rules; council members asked for the draft to be distributed to members before the next meeting.