Des Moines metro cities weigh e-bike, e-scooter rules
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Several Des Moines metro cities are considering ordinances regulating electric bikes and scooters as more people, especially teens and kids, use them on streets and trails.
Why it matters: Local law enforcement officials say they want to curb public safety risks after several severe e-scooter crashes.
- Trail and cycling advocates say current law already addresses these concerns and worry new rules could unintentionally hinder all trail users.
State of play: A coalition of metro police chiefs and sheriffs has drafted a model ordinance to share with city councils to encourage consistent rules across the metro's connected trail system, Waukee Police Chief Chad McCluskey tells Axios.
- He says the draft is a starting point for discussion, not a final proposal.
Zoom in: The draft includes items such as:
- No high-powered (over 750 watts) electronic devices are allowed or traveling at a speed above 20 mph on sidewalks and trails.
- Requiring lights between sunset and sunrise.
- Banning riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
What they're saying: McCluskey says he's seeking a balanced ordinance after a proposed bicycling safety bill at the Legislature received backlash from cyclists, who said it was overly restrictive.
- "You have the conversation, and you work through those amendments and find a good balance, hopefully," he says.
Zoom out: West Des Moines is undergoing a public education campaign to teach parents and families the difference between electric bikes and electric motorcycles, which parents are unknowingly buying for their kids, and are already illegal to ride on Iowa trails.
- E-motos are sold online as e-bikes, but their motors exceed the state's allowable 750 watts and are often classified as class 3 e-bikes, which are not allowed to be ridden by anyone under 16.
- A 1200-watt, class 3 e-bike is available for as little as $600 online at Walmart.
- "We're trying to take a positive view of it and show people how they can change their behavior, instead of getting penalized," says Bobby Kennedy of the Street Collective and member of West Des Moines' bicycle commission.
Bif Ridgway, co-owner of Bike World, says kids ride around on dirt bikes at his shop's parking lot off 50th Street.
- He would like to see law enforcement actively enforce the current law before putting in regulations that could affect his customers.
What's next: The Ankeny City Council plans on workshopping a proposed ordinance on March 2.
- Waukee is considering an ordinance within the next few weeks before the weather warms up, McCluskey says.