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Kearney adopts ordinance regulating e‑bikes, electric scooters and ATV/UTV use; council emphasizes education over enforcement
Summary
Council adopted Ordinance 87‑66 to add definitions and rules for bicycles, class 1–3 e‑bikes, electric foot scooters, ATVs/UTVs and golf carts; the ordinance allows many e‑bikes and scooters on sidewalks/trails with pedestrian yield rules, prohibits certain uses downtown and sets conditions for allowing ATVs/UTVs for snow removal consistent with state statute.
Brad Demers, assistant to the city manager, presented proposed amendments to Chapter 8 (general traffic regulations) intended to create enforceable code for bicycles, electric bicycles (class 1–3), electric foot scooters, ATVs, UTVs and golf carts.
Demers said the proposed definitions largely follow state statute and that the group’s goal was to improve safety while preserving reasonable transportation options. Among the provisions: bicycles and class 1–3 e‑bikes and electric foot scooters would be allowed on sidewalks and shared paths but must yield and dismount for pedestrians; class 3 e‑bikes would be prohibited on city trails (consistent with a prior 2023 council regulation) and electric foot scooters would be prohibited on downtown sidewalks. For street use, the proposed language restricts electric foot scooters from streets with posted limits of 35 mph or higher. Demers and council members stressed education as the primary tool, with officers given a code reference to engage and cite habitual or reckless violators.
The council also debated statutory language governing ATVs, UTVs and golf carts. The ordinance clarifies that municipal authorization must follow Nebraska statute (including operational and safety requirements) and carved out allowances for ATVs/UTVs used for snow removal; council members agreed to remove a reference to “between the hours of sunset and sunrise” from the draft so the exception for snow removal is not time‑limited in the local code. The council voted to suspend readings and placed Ordinance 87‑66 on final passage; the ordinance was subsequently adopted.
