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Port Edwards committee begins rewrite of Chapter 7, opting to align e-bike rules with state law and clarify bike-lane language
Summary
The committee reviewed Chapter 7 edits and signaled a plan to simplify local rules by referencing Wisconsin statutes for e-bike class definitions while adding concise local clarifications (no sidewalk riding, yield rules on trails) and to send technical decisions about bike-lane marking and repainting to Public Works.
The committee began a systematic review of Village Ordinance Chapter 7 and agreed to streamline duplicated provisions while clarifying a small set of local conditions for bicycles and electric bicycles.
Trustee Humble summarized outside guidance on e-bike classifications and local policy options, explaining the commonly used three-class framework (Class 1 and 2: motor-assisted up to 20 mph; Class 3 up to about 28 mph and subject to higher minimum age). "Class 1 and 2 ... up to 20 miles an hour," Humble said, advising the committee that many municipalities simply reference the state statute and add only a few local clarifications.
Several trustees recommended against creating a large set of local regulatory duplications and instead to "call them a bike" consistent with state law so residents can easily understand the rules. Committee members agreed to keep e-bikes authorized on village pedestrian/bike trails and streets but to prohibit riding on sidewalks in key downtown or school-front areas; staff will add concise clarifying lines (age guidance, yield-to-pedestrians, keep-right/pass-left signage) in the redraft.
Trustees also discussed bicycle infrastructure on Bunker Avenue (the ordinance designates a 4-foot bicycle way). Staff reported a repainting quote of about $5,500 for striping on recently repaved sections and suggested phased in-house repainting as an alternative; the committee directed that technical decisions (exact lane layout, whether to paint lines or install signage) be forwarded to the Public Works committee for cost and operational analysis.
Ben will produce a cleaned draft of Chapter 7 incorporating statute references and the committee's concise local clarifications for consideration at the next meeting.
