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Mayville police propose local ordinance to regulate e-bikes and scooters after safety complaints
Summary
Mayville's Public Safety Committee heard a police proposal to adopt a local e-bike/e-scooter ordinance that would add helmet requirements for riders under 16, restrict faster class-3 devices from sidewalks, set sidewalk speed limits and add night-lighting requirements; committee members asked for a July draft to send to council.
The Public Safety Committee on June 22 heard a Police Department representative outline a proposed Mayville ordinance to supplement state statute governing electric bicycles and other mobility devices.
The presenter told the committee that the city has seen a significant increase in electric bikes, scooters and one-wheel devices downtown and during peak hours. "I personally have come close three times," the Police Department representative said, urging the committee to act "before somebody's going to get hurt shortly." He described copying state definitions for class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes into local code and adding city-specific limits.
Key provisions the presenter recommended include: requiring helmets for anyone under 16; banning class-3 e-bikes (capable of speeds above 20 mph) from sidewalks; setting a sidewalk speed limit (the presenter suggested 5 mph as more realistic than examples he reviewed); requiring riders to walk devices across crosswalks when crossing from sidewalks; and adopting bicycle-like lighting and nighttime operation requirements. He also described an enforcement approach that favors warnings for minors (a graduated first/second/third warning system) before issuing fines.
The presenter noted enforcement challenges, saying off-brand high-power bikes can contain motors of 2,000 to 3,000 watts and may reach highway speeds, requiring physical inspection to determine classification. He said some ordinances grant chiefs authority to impound devices for up to 10 days while classification is investigated.
Committee members discussed timing and procedure for drafting an ordinance. Members asked whether a first reading could be accomplished quickly and noted publication rules; the presenter said portions of an ordinance could take effect upon publication and that the department planned to have a draft available in July to forward to Common Council for the standard notice and possible first reading in August.
The committee did not vote to adopt language at the meeting; members asked the department to circulate sample ordinances from nearby communities and return with a draft for formal recommendation.
