MPO official: device-specific speed rules create legal, enforcement problems

Ben Lyman, representing the Greater Madison MPO, told the committee that regional guidance aims to give local governments tools to adopt consistent rules so users are not subject to different laws when traveling across municipal borders. "We really wanted to try and give communities the tools to adopt consistent, coherent rules that don't change," he said. Lyman highlighted statutory inconsistencies — noting e-scooters in state law are limited to 15 mph while bicycles and many ebikes do not carry the same device-specific speed prohibition — and cautioned against ordinances that single out ebikes or throttle use.