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Port Royal hearing features resident plea to tighten e-bike rules after near-collision
Summary
Council reviewed an ordinance to define and regulate electric bicycles after a resident described a near-miss on Paris Avenue and urged the town to address sidewalk riding and speed for e-bikes.
Chair called a public hearing on Ordinance 2026-14 to add a definition of electric bicycles and to clarify their status under Port Royal regulations. The purpose, staff said, is to address pedestrian conflicts and speeds on sidewalks and multiuse paths.
A resident urged adoption of safety rules after describing a recent near-collision on Paris Avenue: “I was coming down Paris Avenue, 2 little boys on them, 2 ebikes… he cut in front… rode the sidewalk… How dangerous if an elderly person had gone,” the commenter said, urging council action and citing a recent local death.
Staff explained the draft ordinance includes classifications for different e-bike types, speed thresholds and limits on sidewalk use to reduce pedestrian conflicts. Council members discussed intent to simplify the code and balance safety with multimodal access; staff noted the need to define classes and speeds and to consider enforcement and outreach.
The hearing record shows no final vote on the ordinance during the workshop; the item remains before council for further consideration under second-reading procedures. The council asked staff to continue refining language on speed thresholds, sidewalk prohibitions and signage, and to return with recommended ordinance text and enforcement considerations.
