Public hearing on e-bikes and e-scooters in Peekskill draws residents’ concerns over drafted bicycle language

The Common Council opened a public hearing Aug. 17 to consider proposed amendments to Chapter 182 of the Peekskill City Code aimed at regulating e-bikes, e-scooters and other electric personal transportation devices.

Several residents said a clause in the published draft (Section 182-5(c)) appears to ban ordinary bicycles in the Business Improvement District and urged the council to remove or rewrite that language. Rebecca Morris said she feared enforcement could remove people’s primary means of transportation: "The first is the fact that e bikes are a whole bunch of our neighbors' only way to get around... if we're taking it for 30 days, like, what are we doing about people are gonna lose their jobs?" she asked. Multiple speakers — including Judith Coleman and Megan Sia — supported age limits and restrictions on high-speed e-devices for pedestrian safety but warned that a blanket ban on bicycles would harm residents and downtown commerce.

Council and staff repeatedly said the amendment’s intent is to regulate e-bikes and e-scooters for pedestrian safety, not to ban bicycles citywide. The city attorney and staff acknowledged the published draft included language that should be removed and said they would circulate revised language. The council voted to adjourn and continue the hearing on Sept. 14, 2026 to allow the revised verbiage to be published and the public another opportunity to comment.

Residents urged parallel approaches focused on infrastructure and education: several speakers recommended investing in bike lanes and school-based education programs rather than immediate heavy enforcement. "If this amendment becomes law, I would burn more fossil fuels driving to the compost bins than I would save by composting," said Megan Sia, arguing that banning bikes downtown would hurt commuting residents and local businesses.

The council said it plans an education-first approach if the law is adopted and will work with the school district on outreach; staff also noted the historic BID language that once restricted bikes dates back to the 1980s and has rarely been enforced.