Canby council adopts emergency ordinance regulating electric-assisted bikes and scooters

The Canby City Council voted unanimously Aug. 5 to adopt Ordinance 1675, a new city law regulating electric-assisted bicycles, e‑scooters and other motorized personal mobility devices. The ordinance (declared emergency on second reading) mirrors state classifications for Class 1–3 devices while adding local rules for parks, a helmet requirement extended to age 17, and a provision allowing citations to be transferred to parents for underage riders.

Police Captain Murphy, who led the staff presentation, told the council the ordinance is oriented toward safety and education rather than immediate ticketing: "Our goal is not to go out immediately, start writing citations," he said, adding that the city will use outreach, school resource officers and targeted patrols to change risky behavior. The presentation explained the technical difference between classes (assistance cutoffs at 20 and 28 mph) and noted that electric motorcycles remain prohibited on public streets.

Residents and parents filled the chamber for the debate. Heather Dorn, a mother who said she rides with her family, urged focus on rider safety rather than strict classification, warning that many devices can be modified for higher speed. "Most of the ebikes, the 1, 2, and the 3, they actually have a throttle on it…they can be modified," Dorn said. Several neighborhood residents and trail users described high speeds and frightening near-misses on the Logging Trail; Sarah Brown, who walks the trail daily, said riders often fail to provide notice when passing and that the change has made the trail "very scary at times."

Council discussion centered on enforcement tools the ordinance provides beyond state law: the ordinance lets the city set park-specific speed limits and requires the city administrator to post park regulations; it also creates the city-level authority to hold parents responsible for specified violations by minors. Councilor Patton argued for moving forward now rather than delaying: "We have to start somewhere," he said, urging the council to put a framework in place and refine it with community input.

The motion to adopt Ordinance 1675 was made by Councilor Patton and seconded on the floor; the final roll call vote was 6–0. Council and staff agreed to collect contact information from interested residents and reconvene with the Bike & Pedestrian and Traffic Safety committees to set park speed limits and report back in two to three months.