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Committee hears complaints about fast e‑bikes, plans education push as state raises class‑3 age
Summary
Committee members said neighborhood complaints about fast e‑bikes and illegal mini‑bikes are mounting; staff noted a July 1 state change raising the minimum rider age for class‑3 e‑bikes to 16 and proposed web, video and school flyer education rather than immediate citywide bans.
Members of the Hendersonville Public Safety Committee discussed growing neighborhood complaints about electric bicycles and scooters and directed staff to focus on public education while evaluating enforcement options.
Assistant Chief Morrison told the committee the only statutory change immediately coming is the state’s July 1 rule raising the minimum age for class‑3 pedal‑assist e‑bikes to 16. Morrison and communications staff described frequent complaints in neighborhoods — groups of children riding at high speeds, riding five abreast, and sometimes operating illegal mini‑bikes — and said enforcement is often complaint‑driven because state law generally classifies e‑bikes as bicycles, which constrains local enforcement options on some roadways.
Public information plans: Casey Lamar, the city’s communications manager, said staff will create a web page, a short video and school‑distribution flyers explaining new rules and safety expectations for parents and youth. Lamar said the emphasis will be on helmets, obeying stop signs and where motor assist is allowed, not on confusing classifications of bike classes. "Let's make sure that your kids are following the rules and make sure that the parents understand their role," Lamar said.
Greenways and parks impact: Greenways staff reported complaints on multi‑use trails and in park areas where fast e‑bikes pass groups of people and cause safety concerns; committee members suggested the Parks Board review possible local restrictions (for example, speed zones or clarifications for greenways) and coordinate outreach. The committee did not adopt any new enforcement ordinance at the meeting but asked staff to return with education materials and to survey what other municipalities are doing.
Outcome: staff will produce an education package and explore best practices from nearby cities; the committee asked for follow‑up reporting on outreach results and any enforcement patterns that merit ordinance changes.
