Canby council opens conversation on e-bike safety, considers regional collaboration

Canby councilors spent part of the May 6 meeting discussing safety concerns about electric bikes and other emerging motorized micromobility devices.

Interim City Administrator Randy Ealy and staff said they have been meeting with other Clackamas County cities and suggested a regional, education-first approach while staff drafts options for local regulation. “We are working with other cities in Clackamas County to put together... parameters of what would look like a local ordinance on these types of motorized vehicles,” staff said.

Resident and meeting participant Heather Dorn, who attended a recent Happy Valley town-hall on the topic, urged the council to focus on rider safety and consistent enforcement. “Our biggest thing is we want to impose safety,” Dorn said, describing proposals heard in Happy Valley such as a required safety course with a progressive enforcement model: a warning on first contact, then citation and potential juvenile or parental accountability on repeat offenses.

Councilors said they want a measured approach that prioritizes safety education ahead of punitive measures. Several members suggested partnering with Happy Valley to share legal costs and policy language, and asked staff to report back with recommended ordinance language and timing so the city can act before children are out of school for summer.

No ordinance was adopted at the meeting; staff and councilors agreed to pursue further meetings with neighboring jurisdictions and to return with a draft recommendation.