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Perry council narrows e-bike restrictions, preserves mountain-bike ban at bike park
Summary
The council approved an amendment to the city trails ordinance June 11 that modifies e-bike rules: it exempts a clause restricting some pedal‑assist e-bikes on the Historic Orchard Pathway but preserves bans on class 2 and 3 e-bikes on mountain-bike trails, including the gravity bike park. Members cited safety, maintenance and enforceability concerns.
Perry — After a lengthy discussion about safety, trail integrity and enforcement, the Perry City Council on June 11 adopted an amendment to the city trails ordinance that relaxes some restrictions for pedal‑assist e-bikes on the Historic Orchard Pathway while retaining prohibitions on higher-powered or motorized vehicles on mountain-bike trails.
Staff presentation: City staff explained the proposed language, which would allow class 1 and class 2 pedal‑assist e-bikes on multi-use paved paths such as the Orchard Pathway while continuing to prohibit class 3 e-bikes and motor/powersport vehicles on mountain-bike-specific trails. “Class 1 and 2, you’re good to go,” the staff presenter said when summarizing the draft language.
Council concerns and trade-offs: Council members and park/trails staff warned that certain throttle‑driven or dirt‑bike–style e‑vehicles can damage dirt berms and features at the mountain-bike park and pose risks to users. Several council members argued a speed‑limit approach on the Orchard Pathway (for example 15–20 mph) would be simpler for users to understand and easier to explain when enforcement is a challenge. The police sergeant noted enforcement of speed limits on a multi-use trail presents practical difficulties.
Council action: A motion to approve ordinance 26J with the removal of section 2.b (the clause that would have restricted pedal‑assist bikes on certain paved pathways) passed unanimously. The adopted change permits pedal‑assist (class 1/2) e-bikes on the Historic Orchard Pathway but keeps class 2 and 3 e-bikes prohibited on mountain-bike trails including the Kiwanis Gravity Bike Park; class 3 e-bikes remain banned on all trails under the ordinance.
What that means: Pedal‑assist users will be allowed on the Orchard Pathway, with the council emphasizing education and signage (speed reminders, courtesy notices) and asking staff and police to pilot enforcement approaches; however the council retained a firm line protecting trail integrity at the bike park by excluding higher‑powered or throttle‑driven vehicles from mountain‑bike features.
Next steps: Staff will update trail signage and monitor usage; the council asked parks staff to plan for potential additional maintenance and to return with any necessary ordinance tweaks if problems arise.
