Roeland Park staff proposes allowing low-speed e-bikes and microtransit in parks with 15 mph cap; council asks for ordinance clarifications

Roeland Park staff presented revisions to Chapter 12 of the municipal code on June 2 proposing to allow class 1 and class 2 e-bikes on paved park paths, restrict unpaved trails to class 1 e-bikes only, exclude motorized devices from the children’s traffic garden, and add a 15 mph speed limit on paved paths and trails in parks.

Staff said the proposal aligns Roeland Park with neighboring communities that already regulate e-bike use and argued class 1 and 2 devices support inclusive, low-impact mobility. A parks advisory committee member and staff recommended restrictions for unpaved trails and the traffic garden to reduce conflicts with pedestrians and children.

Council members raised enforcement and safety concerns: some noted it is difficult to visually distinguish class 1 from class 2 devices, and others worried about e-bikes or scooters on narrow natural-surface trails at Knoll Park where pedestrians and dog walkers use the space. Several council members proposed a lower speed threshold and clearer regulatory definitions. After wide-ranging discussion the council indicated a working consensus to allow low-powered e-bikes and microtransit in parks under a posted 15 mph speed limit, to exclude motorized vehicles from the traffic garden and to restrict class 1 e-bikes on dirt trails; staff was asked to draft precise ordinance language and return it for further review (workshop or council agenda).

Council members also discussed whether to delay blanket regulatory changes until the parks master plan is completed. The mayor and several members recommended staff proceed with ordinance language so the council can refine it in the context of the master plan rather than indefinitely delaying clarity.