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Resident urges city action on high-speed electric bikes; council asks staff to review laws and enforcement
Summary
A Presque Isle resident described near-misses and fast electric bikes on sidewalks; the council instructed staff to meet with the police chief, research state law and ordinance options, and bring recommendations back to the council.
A city resident told the Presque Isle City Council on July 1 he has observed what he described as reckless electric bike riding—on sidewalks and in breakdown lanes—and urged action to protect pedestrians and children.
"I have seen a lot of reckless behavior... I'm very concerned for some of the younger kids that are riding these," resident Jay Etchcomb told the council, saying he witnessed a teenager pass a car in the breakdown lane at an estimated 40–45 miles an hour and later called police. "They go up to 50 miles an hour," he said.
A council member clarified state law distinguishes three classes of e-bikes, explaining class 1 is pedal-assist only up to 20 mph and that devices with throttles or those that qualify as motorbikes may fall under different rules. The council discussed difficulty distinguishing e-bikes from dirt bikes or electric motorcycles and limits on local enforcement under state law.
City Manager Sonia said she would check with the police chief, gather information about what the state allows and what other communities have done, and return the issue to the council. A councilor suggested forming a committee to review ordinances, low-speed vehicle frameworks and education programs for riders.
Councilors emphasized safety and situational awareness for pedestrians and operators and asked staff to prepare a clear statement of what is permitted and how enforcement could proceed. No ordinance or formal policy change was adopted at the meeting; staff follow-up was requested.
