Council weighs ban of e‑bikes on sidewalks, education and graduated enforcement in ordinance draft

The council spent substantial time in a work session reviewing proposed revisions to the bike ordinance (Title 11‑71) aimed at addressing safety concerns tied to electric bicycles and other micromobility devices. Multiple public speakers and council members said the priority should be safety for children and pedestrians; several councilmembers expressed support for prohibiting all e‑bikes from sidewalks, keeping ordinary bicycles allowed under current rules off Main Street, and relying first on education before escalating enforcement.

Local public‑health and safety sources were cited by speakers supporting age and class limits. Dr. Jackie Nelson, a retired pediatrician who identified herself at the microphone, recommended age and helmet minimums and noted national injury trends for e‑bikes. Mike Cusick of Wyoming Pathways, who said he is working with the legislature, urged statewide minimums and a graduated fine structure and suggested allowing officers to impound e‑bikes for repeat juvenile violations. The police chief described an approach of "soft enforcement" initially — education and parental notification — with a $25 fine on repeat offenses and potential court referral later. "The heaviest lift of this entire ordinance is gonna be the education," the chief said, while also urging enforcement that focuses on safety rather than punitive measures. Councilmembers asked staff to continue outreach to bike shops, bike clubs, schools and manufacturers and to return with draft amendments that address sidewalk bans, class‑by‑age rules and citation amounts.