May 14, 2026 - News

Clive City Council considering e-bike ordinance

Linh Ta

Split image: left shows two helmeted cyclists on fat-tire mountain bikes on a dirt trail through a forest; right shows a man in a white shirt on a black electric bike on a paved park path. — A presentation by Des Moines Metropolitan Planning Organization pointing out the differences in speeds between an e-bike (left) and an e-moto (right). Photo: Courtesy of MPO

The Clive City Council is considering an e-bike and e-moto ordinance tonight.

Why it matters: Clive's popular Green Belt Trail draws outdoor enthusiasts from around the metro, but the city is reckoning with how to handle the rise of kids riding e-motos — high-powered electric motorcycles that resemble lower-speed e-bikes.

State of play: Clive's ordinance would enforce a 20-mph speed limit on the city's trails and prohibit the use of e-motos on them and on sidewalks.

Other electric vehicles like e-scooters and e-skateboards would have to use a trail or bike lane if it's present, instead of the road.
The use of anything other than a bicycle or an e-bike is also prohibited on roads where the speed limit is higher than 25mph, including skateboards and scooters.

Zoom in: Violating the ordinance could incur a $25 fine.

Enforcement would start in 2027.

The big picture: Des Moines metro cities are wrestling with how to navigate a rise in kids' use of high-speed bikes and scooters, while not restricting cyclists.

Ankeny passed an ordinance enacting a 20mph speed limit.
Waukee is workshopping its ordinance, following criticisms in the cycling community that its initial proposal was too restrictive.

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Clive City Council considering e-bike ordinance

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