Council reviews draft bicycle and electric-scooter ordinance; staff to refine language

City staff summarized a draft ordinance (subchapter 60-13) intended to regulate bicycles, electric scooters, e-motos and other motorized conveyances. The draft draws on model language used by neighboring cities and includes detailed definitions (e-motos, low-speed e-bikes, OPMDs and a new "pedestrian conveyance" category), designated riding areas by roadway speed and width, speed limits on sidewalks/trails, and provisions for responsible riding and yielding to pedestrians.

Council discussion focused on three main tensions: (1) how to define and treat "pedestrian conveyances"—devices used by people with mobility disabilities—without unintentionally banning necessary mobility devices from roadways; (2) enforcement practicality and whether certain safety requirements (for example, helmet requirements for minors) are enforceable and advisable across jurisdictions; and (3) whether Windsor Heights should align closely with MPO/regional model language or adopt tailored local provisions (staff noted the MPO encouraged cities to adopt language suited to their communities).

Police staff and councilmembers acknowledged enforcement challenges for speed and misuse on trails and in parks; some councilmembers expressed interest in including stronger safety language (helmets encouraged or required for minors) as an education tool, while staff cautioned that small municipal enforcement discretion and cross-jurisdictional inconsistency complicate mandates. Council asked staff to circulate revisions to councilmembers and bring a refined draft back for a first reading.

No ordinance vote was taken; staff will incorporate council feedback and circulate a revised draft.