Johns Creek council adopts rule allowing class 1–2 e‑bikes on sidewalks, keeps parks restriction after 4–3 vote

The Johns Creek City Council voted 4–3 Monday to adopt an amendment to city code section 54‑6 that allows class 1 and class 2 electric-assisted bicycles to operate on sidewalks and trails while restricting class 3 e‑bikes to roadways.

City staff presented the ordinance update and recommended “option 1,” which would permit class 1 and 2 devices on sidewalks and trails but retain an exception for use inside city parks. Director O'Connor said the police department can enforce classification labels during a traffic stop but noted limits to enforcing operating speed: “There is no practical way to measure or regulate the operating speed of a device on the sidewalk, and enforcement will be limited to addressing reckless operation,” O'Connor said.

Council Member Skinner moved to consider the ordinance; Council Member Tunkie seconded. During debate, Council Member Davios urged removing the parks exclusion, arguing it would be impractical to require users to leave a device outside a park: “I don't think that sort of makes sense to me at least,” Davios said, citing everyday use by families and younger riders. Council Member McCaughman opposed removing the parks exception on safety and equity grounds, saying restricting class 3 devices off trails would force older or mixed-ability riders onto streets: “Class 3 bikes are commonly used for older adults, children with trailers or hitches, where the parents' bike, with the children... people with mixed abilities and commuters,” McCaughman said.

Council members referenced different trail designs when weighing the change: some described Big Creek and similar multiuse trails as suitable for mixed bicycle traffic, while others said narrower neighborhood park trails such as Newtown or Cully Creek are primarily pedestrian and should remain protected from higher‑powered devices.

A motion to amend the proposed ordinance by removing the parks exclusion was proposed and debated but did not carry. The final ordinance as adopted implements the staff‑recommended approach to e‑bike classification and use. The ordinance item was listed on the agenda as an amendment to chapter 54, section 6; the transcript did not provide a definitive ordinance number and so that specific identifier is not specified in this report.

Procedurally, the motion to consider the ordinance was offered by Council Member Skinner and seconded by Council Member Tunkie; the council recorded the final vote as 4 in favor and 3 opposed.

The council's decision keeps local limits on where higher‑powered (class 3) e‑bikes may operate while formally permitting lower‑powered class 1 and 2 devices on sidewalks and trails outside parks. Officials said enforcement will focus on reckless operation rather than speed measurement.