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Council hears staff report on proposed ordinance to regulate electric motorcycles
Summary
On first reading staff described a proposed municipal code (Ordinance 2839) to define and restrict high-powered electric motorcycles, prohibit sidewalk/trail operation, set equipment and licensing requirements, and create enforcement penalties; staff recommended adoption at later readings to align with state rulemaking.
Council held the first reading of Ordinance 2839, a proposed municipal code chapter to address electric motorcycles, and heard a staff report from the police chief explaining the need and recommended structure.
The police chief told the council that high-powered electric motorcycles, including off-road dirt-bike style vehicles, are increasingly used on public streets, sidewalks and multi-use trails and that the existing municipal code does not clearly distinguish them from e-bikes and mopeds. The staff proposal would define electric motorcycles by power and speed capability, prohibit their operation on sidewalks, parks and multi-use trails unless specifically authorized, require helmets and minimum lighting and safety equipment for roadway use, require a valid driver's license and set age restrictions where appropriate, and add enforcement options including warnings, citations and impoundment for repeat or egregious violations.
Staff noted recent state legislation and the Department of Licensing workgroup (due October 2027) that will address statewide definitions and recommended the city adopt local rules to complement state law and reduce enforcement ambiguity. The chief said the city's attorney reviewed the draft to ensure consistency with applicable statutes.
This was a first reading; the ordinance was introduced by title only and no formal vote to adopt was taken. Councilmembers were invited to provide further comment at second reading.
