Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Newburgh council debates enforceable limits on e-bikes and scooters on Rivertown Trail amid safety concerns
Summary
Council members flagged rising reckless use of e-bikes and motorized scooters on the Rivertown Trail and asked the town attorney and police chief to draft enforceable rules; the attorney warned that state law allows some e-bikes unless explicitly excluded and the police chief warned enforcement and Fourth Amendment practicalities.
Council members at the Town of Newburgh meeting on June 10 pressed staff to draft an ordinance and an enforcement plan to address what members described as growing reckless use of motorized scooters, e-bikes and similar devices on the Rivertown Trail.
"Motorized vehicles on the trail have gotten out of control," Council Member Steve Shoemaker said, urging the town attorney and police chief to produce enforceable language. Shoemaker framed the concern around safety and rider behavior: "I would like to ask our town attorney and our chief of police to work together to come up with something that can be enforceable on this."
Town Attorney Christopher Wisher cautioned that state law already distinguishes classes of e-bikes and that some are allowed on paved trails unless a municipality expressly prohibits them. "The way the law is currently, 'no motorized vehicles' is the rule, but under Indiana law certain e-bikes are allowed where bicycles are allowed unless there's an ordinance against it," he said, noting the council can adopt a local ordinance to create a bright line.
The police chief described practical enforcement challenges, including difficulty identifying device class in the field and concerns about escalation when officers attempt to stop riders. "Just because it looks like something doesn't necessarily mean it is," the chief said, adding that pursuits or stops can raise safety and liability questions.
Council members discussed several options: drafting a broad local ordinance banning motorized devices on town trails, limiting permitted devices by class or maximum speed, licensing or registration, and a public-education campaign with new signage. The town attorney offered to draft model language once council identifies the policy direction.
Council directed staff to prepare ordinance language and recommended combining legislative action with targeted education and updated trail signage; members noted that enforcement capacity and clear public notice will be critical for any rule change.
