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Little Canada council directs staff to pursue e-bike code amendment after safety brief
Summary
City staff reported safety complaints and industry trends for electric-assisted bicycles and the Parks & Recreation Commission moved to support staff research; council members gave consensus to pursue coordinated rules with Ramsey County cities and return a City Code Chapter 2601 amendment.
City officials at a July 8 workshop directed staff to pursue a code amendment to govern electric-assisted bicycle use in Little Canada parks and trails after a Parks & Recreation briefing on safety and enforcement concerns.
Parks & Recreation Director Steve Anderson told the council that e-bikes have surged in popularity and staff have received several complaints about "dangerous encounters between e-bikes and pedestrians." Anderson said that higher-speed models "are actually classified as e-motos and are considered motorcycles where a driver’s license is required to drive one." He reported the Parks & Recreation Commission on June 4 made a motion supporting staff to continue research and pursue potential policy direction for e-bike use within parks and trails.
Council Member Miller asked whether "all the Ramsey County cities could get together to adopt the same rules," and City Administrator Bryce Shearen said he plans to raise the issue at the next contract cities meeting so deputies and residents encounter consistent regulations. Council members reached consensus for staff to work with other Ramsey County cities and bring forward an amendment to City Code Chapter 2601 addressing e-bike usage.
The council did not adopt a code change at the workshop; staff were directed to research options, coordinate with regional partners, and return to council with a proposed ordinance or code language for formal consideration.
