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St. Paul council tables e‑bike ordinance, forms committee to draft rules
Summary
After an extended public discussion on safety, enforcement and liability, the St. Paul City Council unanimously agreed to table consideration of an e‑bike and electric personal conveyance ordinance and appointed a committee including police and community members to draft recommendations.
Mayor Mike Feeken and the St. Paul City Council on June 15 agreed to delay action on an ordinance for electric bikes and electric personal conveyances and instead form a citizen-staff committee to draft recommended rules.
Council member Jerry Woodgate, who has led earlier internal discussions on the issue, framed the matter as a public-safety and municipal-liability question. "This is a safety and liability issue for the City of St. Paul," Woodgate said during the meeting, where several residents then outlined concerns and suggestions.
Attendees and officials raised specific points the committee should consider, including how Nebraska law applies to electric personal conveyances, enforcement and citation authority, helmet requirements, liability exposure for the city and penalties for unsafe operation. Chief of Police Dan Howard will coordinate the committee and set the first meeting; members who expressed interest include Council member Woodgate and residents Casandra Christenson, Jerry Thompson, Terry Eurek, Kaycee McClay and Megan Stout.
The council did not take a formal vote to adopt an ordinance; instead it unanimously agreed to table the ordinance until the committee completes its work and returns recommendations. The decision pauses any rule changes while the committee drafts language the council can consider at a future meeting.
