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Residents urge education, bike lanes instead of stricter enforcement for e-bikes
Summary
Two public commenters described frequent unsafe e-bike and scooter behavior downtown and urged education, bike lanes and treating e-bikes like traditional bicycles rather than harassment or punitive enforcement.
Two residents urged the Committee of the Whole to focus on education and infrastructure rather than strict punishments for e-bike riders.
Bruce Pesky, who identified himself as living at 151 South Washington, said he has seen ‘‘numerous kids flying through that intersection’’ who "don't stop. They don't slow down. They don't even look," and recounted vehicles having to brake sharply to avoid collisions. Pesky told the committee he and his wife had spoken with police about their safety concerns.
Sherry Roxbury of 217 West Berlin Street said e-bikes are "the day and age of these kids" and urged the city to "treat these just like every other bike" and to provide options such as bike lanes. Roxbury also complained that a Green Lake sheriff and a Berlin officer had approached local youths near the locks and said an officer told them, "you didn't do anything wrong. We're in an office to talk to anyway," which she described as unwelcome and discouraging for young people using public spaces.
Both speakers asked the city to prioritize training, clearer rules and safe spaces for riders. Their remarks came at the start of the meeting during the public-comment period.
