After safety complaints, Oregon City asks staff to draft e-bike and e-scooter ordinance

Oregon City police told the commission Thursday they are seeing rising complaints and risky behavior involving electric micro‑mobility devices — particularly illegal small motorcycles and underage operators — and asked the commission for direction to draft a local ordinance.

Chief Davis said House Bill 4007 (2026) defines powered micro‑mobility devices and permits local governments to adopt ordinances that add restrictions beyond the state law. He described recent stops of youths operating illegal e‑motorcycles on streets and in parks and urged the commission to consider measures that would set age limits, helmet requirements and prohibited behaviors (for example, wheelies or carrying multiple riders). He said some nearby cities have already adopted local ordinances and that staff could model language on those ordinances.

"If you have the consensus, I'd be more than happy to bring something back as an ordinance very similar to Canby, West Linn and Happy Valley," Chief Davis said. Commissioners expressed support for drafting an ordinance with education and enforcement components; several requested options that include citing guardians in cases of repeated violations and considering emergency adoption so rules can take effect quickly during the summer surge in activity.

Outcome: consensus for staff to draft an ordinance modeled on neighboring jurisdictions, include enforcement options and return to the commission for consideration; staff may propose emergency adoption if warranted.