Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
New Albany council debates tighter rules for e‑bikes, powered scooters after residents report dangerous riding
Summary
After multiple residents detailed crashes and high‑speed electric “dirt bikes,” the council heard a broad staff proposal to revise traffic code to classify e‑bikes and scooters, set speed limits on paths, and create school registration and education efforts; enforcement and signage were major sticking points.
New Albany’s City Council on Oct. 7 held an extended first reading on a package of traffic‑code amendments aimed at curbing dangerous use of high‑power electric bikes and “e‑dirt” motorcycles on sidewalks and shared paths.
Residents and business owners told the council the vehicles—some modified to reach road speeds—are appearing regularly on leisure paths and near schools. “These are motor vehicles,” long‑time resident Joe Sedlock told the council, arguing many machines sold as e‑bikes are built and operated like motorcycles and should be impounded when unregistered. He detailed models and wattages and cited fatal crashes in other jurisdictions to press for faster enforcement.
City staff presented a redline draft that adds e‑bikes and powered scooters to multiple sections of the code, defines permitted users, requires audible signals when passing, and imposes equipment standards (headlights, brakes and reflectors) and helmet requirements for riders under 18. The draft also separates e‑bike operational classes (1, 2, 3), pushes faster class‑3 vehicles to the road, and proposes a 10–15 mile‑per‑hour speed cap on sidewalks and shared‑use paths.
Police leadership warned enforcement will be challenging. “It’s difficult…to enforce that speed on all the paths,” the police chief said, noting radar and speed‑measurement limitations on narrow trails and the need to rely on primary violations to stop vehicles for secondary inspections.
Council members discussed carve‑outs and signage. Several members asked staff to define sidewalks versus shared‑use paths by width and surface and to map high‑traffic areas for targeted signage rather than posting every mile of path. Staff proposed a multifaceted rollout comprising a school‑based registration and education program for students (with the school resource officers offering in‑school classes), a public outreach campaign, and an enforcement blitz of warnings followed by citations.
Council set a second reading and public hearing for Oct. 21. City staff said they will return with clarified definitions, a recommended speed threshold (several council members favored 10 mph on leisure paths), proposed signage locations and options for school registration and decals.
