Carlisle council asks police to draft rules for e-bikes and scooters after safety concerns

At its June 8 meeting, the Carlisle City Council discussed mounting community concerns about e-bikes and scooters and asked Police Chief Matt Koch and Councilmember Cataldo to draft rules for the devices.

The request followed remarks from Councilmember Beth Sauter, who said she had received numerous complaints and was worried about rider safety. Mayor Dan Carver framed the issue as one that has generated significant public interest and noted he had worked with Chief Koch on a proposed approach to give council options for action.

Councilmember Andrya Carter said she prefers the police draft an ordinance or policy rather than forming a separate committee. Chief Koch and Councilmember Cataldo described technical and legal complexities around how the vehicles are classified and how existing traffic rules apply, and they said education and consistent enforcement would be important components of any response. Councilmember Tracey McAvoy and Councilmember Krista Beck echoed concerns about underage use and enforceability.

No formal motion was recorded to adopt a rule at the meeting. Instead, council members asked Chief Koch and Councilmember Cataldo to prepare proposed ordinance or policy language and return it to the council for consideration (Chief Koch indicated mid-July as a reasonable timeline). The council emphasized that any approach should include public education and consistent enforcement mechanisms.

Next steps: Chief Koch and Councilmember Cataldo will draft options for council review and return to the Council within two meetings; no formal ordinance was adopted at this session.