Committee recommends ordinance requiring helmets for under‑18 e‑bike and e‑scooter riders, with six‑month education window

The committee recommended to City Council a draft ordinance requiring individuals under 18 to wear approved helmets when operating or riding as passengers on electric bicycles or scooters. Senior Assistant City Attorney Eric Levin presented the draft (referred to in the meeting as ordinance TC‑3516) and said staff consulted municipal partners and BikeWalk KC in preparing the language. The ordinance would defer citation issuance until Jan. 1, 2027, to allow education efforts and outreach. Levin summarized: "We established a $10 fine for a 1st time offender ... the ordinance mandates that the court dismiss the citation if the individual or their parents bring in proof that they have since purchased a helmet."

The committee amended the language during debate to replace "proof of purchase" with "proof of acquisition" to accommodate donated helmets or those provided by officers. Members raised equity and infrastructure concerns—several argued helmet access should be paired with investments in safe streets and traffic-calming—and asked how dismissal would be handled; staff said the municipal court judge could dismiss when proof is shown. Staff also said the city would pursue helmet drives and partner distribution where needed. The committee moved and seconded a recommendation to council to adopt the ordinance as amended.