The Jefferson city council will hold a public hearing on adding a city ordinance dealing with e-bikes at its regular meeting July 14. Residents have expressed concern about the safety of e-bike and e-scooter riders at recent meetings. The matter was referred to the council’s police committee, resulting in the proposed ordinance.
The ordinance would establish regulations for the safe and responsible operation of bicycles, electric scooters, low-speed electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, and other-power driven mobility devices, or OPDMD. An OPDMD is any mobility device powered by batteries, fuel, or other engines used by individuals with mobility disabilities for locomotion, but not a manual or power-driven wheelchair or a golf cart.
The ordinance specifies that persons riding any of the above named devices on a roadway or bicycle lane have all the rights of drivers of motorized vehicles, but also have the same duties. Riders of motorized bicycles must have a valid driver’s license or permit.
Low-speed electric bikes, electric scooters and OPDMDs are not subject to registration and proof of financial liability covers regulations. Motorized bicycles, however, are subject to registration, licensure, titling, inspection, and proof of financial liability coverage regulations.
The ordinance specifies that riders must not ride in a reckless manner or disregard the safety of other or property, and that riders must operate their devices in a “careful and prudent manner” at all times, following posted signage and applicable laws.
Riding bikes, e-bikes, e-scooters, and motorized bikes would be prohibited on sidewalks in the business district. Riders would need to dismount and walk their devices on sidewalks.
Riding the e-devices in city parks is specific to the park. Electric scooters and low-speed electric bikes would be allowed on paved portions of bicycle paths and sidewalks, as well as the designated dirt paths in Russell and Chautauqua parks.
Motorized bicycles would not be allowed in city parks except on the trails in Daubendiek Park. There, the operator must take “due care” not to damage trails, the surrounding environment, “or pose a risk of safety to persons and animals.”
Operation of e-scooters would be prohibited on Hwy 30, Elm St, Lincoln Way, and Grimmel Rd north of Clark St, within the city limits.
Operation of electric scooters would be permitted only from sunrise to sunset. E-scooters could not be operated when snow and ice are on the roadway.
Click here to read the complete ordinance. Following the public hearing, the council may approve the first reading of the ordinance.
The council will also consider holding a referendum on the city’s Local Option Sales Tax (LOST). The tax is set to expire June 30, 2027, unless it is reaffirmed by a referendum. The council would also need to approve a revenue purpose statement.
The LOST now in effect must be used “100 percent for the repair, maintenance, replacement and improvement of Jefferson’s infrastructure.”
The council at its July 14 meeting will consider proceeding with a referendum; what the use of funds generated would be; and if there’s a referendum, should there be a sunset date for the LOST or should it be perpetual. The council must show its desire to have the question on the Nov. 3 ballot by July 27. (The next regular council meeting is July 28). A revenue purpose statement would be due at the county auditor’s office by Aug. 17.
