Clackamas commissioners push e‑bike education and ask staff to draft county ordinance

The Clackamas County Board of Commissioners on June 23 asked staff to strengthen public education about e‑bike safety and to prepare a draft county ordinance to address misuse of higher‑speed electric bicycles and e‑motorized devices.

County planners and transportation staff briefed the board on the recently adopted Travel Options Action Plan and a forthcoming Metro grant to help implement education and skills programs. Scott Holshire, a senior planner, described a draft informational brochure and proposed skills workshops and commuter trainings funded by the Metro implementation grant. "During all this outreach, we heard an interest in e‑bikes, but also concerns of safety ... the community wanted some education and some clear understanding of what e‑bikes are and how they work," Holshire said.

County counsel and law enforcement noted enforcement limits and the patchwork of ordinances in neighboring cities. Staff and commissioners agreed that education should be paired with a local regulation that clarifies where particular classes of e‑bikes may be used and what behavior is prohibited in unincorporated county areas. Commissioner Savis moved — and Commissioner Helm seconded — instructions to continue education efforts and to prepare an ordinance; the motion passed 5–0.

What’s next: staff will finalize the Metro‑funded scope, begin outreach and return with a draft ordinance for the board’s review. The board asked staff to coordinate with the Pedestrian & Bikeway Advisory Committee, local cities and law enforcement on enforcement expectations and regional consistency.