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Yutan council directs staff to draft an ordinance for e-bikes and e-scooters after safety discussion
Summary
After discussing injury reports from regional hospitals and differing views on enforcement, Yutan City Council directed the mayor, police and city staff to work with the city attorney to draft an initial ordinance regulating e-bikes and e-scooters for council review.
Mayor Matt Thompson and Yutan city officials on May 19 directed staff to work with the police chief and the city attorney to draft an ordinance regulating e-bikes and e-scooters, citing neighbor-city rules and regional injury data as motivation.
The discussion followed public comment from resident Justin Barney, who disputed an administration claim of "pushback" against the issue and criticized recent council decisions. Thompson said neighboring communities, including Valley and Bennington, have adopted restrictive e-bike and e-scooter rules and referenced rising injury reports from regional hospitals as part of the rationale for regulating the devices.
Council President Schimenti urged precise definitions and stressed that any expectations placed on young riders should be accompanied by increased enforcement for speeding motor vehicles. Police Chief Luthy II described a prioritization of safety and education over punitive measures: "We'd look at safety education—bike rodeos—and alternatives to issuing tickets that would put points on a minor's driving record," he said, noting he would consider community service or impounding the device rather than traffic tickets. Luthy also said current gaps in statutory definitions leave enforcement decisions to judges and suggested tying some restrictions to age or possession of a Provisional Operator's Permit.
Councilmember Smith asked about establishing designated safe routes—specifically a potential path from SouthRidge to Cubby's—and requested clearer speed requirements in any draft ordinance. During the public-comment period, Barney opposed strict limits such as a 25-mph cap and a ban on travel on Highway 92. A meeting participant identified as Oliva suggested asking the city attorney to draft a comprehensive, restrictive ordinance that the council could then scale back.
Action: Mayor Matt Thompson, city staff and Police Chief Luthy II were directed to collaborate with the city attorney to prepare an initial draft ordinance for future council review. The council did not set a date for the draft review; the item will return to the council when the attorney and staff present the proposed language.
The council's directive does not itself change local law; any regulatory changes would require a future ordinance vote.
