Commission hears reports of high-speed e-bikes on fields and trails and considers drafting a recommendation

Commissioners and residents raised safety concerns about motorized e-bikes using fields and trails, reporting high-speed, non‑pedal operation that some described as resembling dirt-bike behavior.

A resident and multiple commissioners described seeing groups ride e-bikes across playing fields and on walking paths, sometimes "racing" or using playground equipment. One commissioner said the e-bikes observed were type 3: "They did not pedal at all. They actually almost looked like dirt bikes and even had an appropriate headlight on them." Staff confirmed the town code contains no explicit restriction on e-bike classes and said the parks commission could make a recommendation to the burgess and commissioners if it wanted to pursue local limits on type-3 e-bikes or trail bans.

Commissioners suggested researching ordinances in other municipalities and noted national-park policy commonly restricts type-3 e-bikes from trails, while allowing lower-speed, pedal-assist models. Staff encouraged identifying incidents and, when appropriate, reporting them to MSP for potential follow-up.

Why it matters: High-speed, non-pedal e-bikes can create safety hazards on fields and shared-use paths, particularly where children and team activities are present. The commission’s discussion signals a possible regulatory review or formal recommendation to elected officials.

Next steps: Commissioners said they will investigate existing ordinances in other jurisdictions and may draft a recommendation for the burgess and commissioners; staff urged the public to report disruptive activity to law-enforcement so individuals can be identified if problems escalate.