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Waukesha council sends proposed e‑bike and e‑scooter sidewalk ordinance back to committee after mixed views
Summary
The Waukesha City Common Council voted unanimously to send a proposed ordinance regulating powered scooters and bikes on sidewalks back to committee for further drafting, after staff and police raised differing views and alderpersons urged careful attention to age, safety and connected street improvements. Public comment urged pairing restrictions with safer on‑street options for children.
Alders on the Waukesha City Common Council voted 14–0 on June 16 to refer a proposed ordinance regulating powered scooters, e‑bikes and other small motorized vehicles on sidewalks back to the Ordinance and Licensing Committee for further work.
The referral motion was raised by Alderperson Mannion, who said committee discussion had been limited because the panel was short‑handed and that staff — including police and the city attorney — expressed different opinions about what the ordinance should include. Mannion said additional internal discussions and a possible new draft would be better considered at committee before returning to the full council. “We didn’t get a full opportunity to completely robustly discuss this,” Mannion said. The referral passed without dissent.
Public comment at the start of the meeting framed the local debate. Resident Joseph Miller, who identified himself and gave his address, told the council he understood concerns about high‑speed sidewalk riding but urged a “give and take” approach that preserves mobility options for kids and families. Miller said that if sidewalks are restricted, the city should pair that with low‑cost street safety investments — marked bike lanes, traffic calming near schools and parks, clear signage and safe crossings — so young riders have a practical alternative to being driven everywhere. “If the only practical option left is to be driven everywhere, then we are pushing more trips into cars,” he said.
Several alderpersons voiced specific concerns during the discussion. Alderperson Lemke said she would oppose any rule that forced children 12 and under onto the street and suggested age‑based distinctions, while other members urged careful drafting to avoid unintended safety tradeoffs.
The council’s vote was procedural: the body did not adopt any ordinance language or set an enforcement regime on June 16. Mannion and other council members encouraged residents to provide feedback to staff as the committee refines the draft.
What happens next: the ordinance will return to the Ordinance and Licensing Committee for further drafting and discussion; the council signaled it expects a revised draft to come back to the full council for consideration after committee review.
