Garden City gives first reading to ordinance restricting high-speed e-bikes and e-scooters

Garden City’s council gave a first reading on June 22 to an ordinance that would add definitions and prohibitions for high-speed electric motorbikes and e-scooters in city code.

City attorney Charlie Watms told the council the draft amends Title 5 (traffic) and Title 10 (parks) to clarify which devices are permitted and which are prohibited. The ordinance would permit class 1–3 e-bikes (class 3 capped at 28 mph) and would prohibit devices that are capable of speeds or power outputs beyond those classes. For e-scooters, Watms said the ordinance treats low-speed scooters as those under 300 watts and 15 mph and seeks to prohibit scooters that exceed those capabilities.

Watms said enforcement would focus on the device’s capability — not on manufacturer labels or a user-selected setting — and described the proposed penalty as an infraction with a fixed penalty of $300 plus court costs. He noted existing misdemeanor charges (for reckless or injurious operation) remain available for more serious conduct and that officers would have discretion to impound devices in certain juvenile or hazardous circumstances.

Council members asked about juvenile jurisdiction, possible misdemeanor options, whether the industry classifies scooters like e-bikes, and practical wattage and speed ranges. Police and council members said regulations on the books help the city from a liability standpoint even if enforcement is limited.

The council moved and seconded the ordinance for first reading by title only; the roll call recorded 'yes' votes by council members Asperson, Carver Herbert and Paige to advance the measure.

Next steps: staff will refine definitions, consider juvenile-court procedures and penalties, and return the ordinance for future readings.