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Resident tells council e-bike crash injured a driver; council asks staff to research regulation
Summary
A Bridgeton resident reported an incident in which a Class 3 e-bike struck a car and injured the rider; council members urged staff to research e-bike rules and scheduled the code-ordinance subcommittee to address regulations and enforcement in August. Chief Lovell said local code is broad and the fire department enforces occupancy rules.
During public comment, resident Carl DeGrosso described an accident on Old Saint Charles Road in which two youths on a Class 3 electric bicycle struck his wife's car, causing dental injuries to one rider and about $4,000 in vehicle damage. DeGrosso said his insurance company is being pursued for liability and urged the council to consider local restrictions on fast e-bikes riding on sidewalks and streets.
Council members responded by raising safety concerns and directing staff to research options. Council member Suttell said he "rides an e-bike also" but called the incident "totally unsafe" and urged staff to look into measures other municipalities are taking; he asked the chief and city staff to bring recommendations before summer's end. Chief Bryce Lovell told council the city's current ordinance is broad and that a valid operator's license is required to operate on public roadways; enforcement of occupancy and related safety issues is handled by the Robertson Fire District and the police department would request the fire marshal if they suspect an occupancy violation.
Council agreed to add e-bike regulation to the upcoming code-ordinance subcommittee meeting and asked the chief to provide existing laws and enforcement options. No formal ordinance was introduced at the July 15 meeting.
