Residents press Peru board for safe space for young cyclists as electric bikes and scooters proliferate

During community input and item 10 on the agenda, resident Matt Sinclair asked the town to consider creating a safe, designated area where teens can ride bicycles and large-tire electric bikes instead of riding on roads and damaging trails.

Sinclair told the board the group of riders is roughly age 11 to 15 and described their activity as an option better than staying indoors. He urged the town to explore options using town land or by amending agreements with private property owners so the group could have a defined and safer place.

Board members noted the town’s existing walking-trail agreement with a property owner (referenced in the meeting as an agreement signed with Mr. Clue) explicitly prohibits motorized vehicles on the walking trail and that electric bikes were not contemplated when the agreement was written. The board discussed whether the language should be revised, whether the town could permit nonmotorized mountain-biking on other parcels, and the constraints posed by wetlands and state rules on certain properties.

Discussion also focused on enforcement and parental responsibility. Several members suggested starting with educational programs, more visible signage and possible supervised 'bike rodeos' or youth courses, and said a full solution could take longer and would be revisited in work sessions.

The board did not adopt any ordinance or authorize spending at the meeting; members instructed staff to research options and bring proposals back to a future workshop.