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Hillsborough council debates e-bike safety and asks staff for options on regulation, education and enforcement
Summary
After an informational presentation, the council asked staff to return with a menu of policy and ordinance options, data-collection possibilities, and proposed education and enforcement activities on e-bikes; several residents urged age limits and bans while others urged focusing on driver behavior and street safety.
The Town of Hillsborough City Council received an informational update on e-bikes on Feb. 9 and directed staff to return with options for policies or ordinances, education and enforcement steps, and information on what data the Town can collect.
Assistant City Manager Mandy Brown presented the item and fielded questions with Chief of Police Melissa Colla and City Attorney Christopher Diaz. The presentation covered types of e-bikes, enforcement challenges and current State activity; the Council did not take immediate regulatory action but asked staff to prepare a follow-up report.
Several residents used the public comment period to press for stronger action. Nadine Taylor‑Barnes described parent confusion about kinds of e-bikes, concerns about illegal e-bikes and the risk of traumatic injuries and displayed a photo from an external article as context. Abe Matar (110 Redwood Drive) supported a ban on some e-bikes and said a petition is circulating that would set a minimum age of 16 to operate an e-bike. Mitch Wong recounted an e-bike accident involving his son and urged a minimum age requirement, e-bike education and enforcement. Mike Swire urged the Council to prioritize driver behavior and street safety, saying drivers hitting pedestrians and cyclists are a major problem.
Council direction: Assistant City Manager Brown summarized next steps: the City Manager’s Office and City Attorney’s Office will return with a report outlining a menu of options the Town can consider, what data the Town is currently collecting and what additional data can be collected, possible education and enforcement activities, and updates on relevant State legislation.
Why it matters: E-bike technology and usage are evolving, and residents reported injuries and safety concerns; the Council’s choice of policy tools could affect enforcement options, age restrictions and local education campaigns.
What happens next: Staff will prepare a follow-up report for a future Council meeting that outlines options, costs and implementation considerations.
