After cyclists fight back, city councils rethink biking ordinances
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E-motos, like the one pictured, are often sold online as regular e-bikes. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
Two Des Moines metro cities are revising proposed e-bike ordinances after pushback from local cyclists.
Why it matters: Clive and Waukee city leaders say they want to limit the reckless use of high-powered electric devices, but cycling advocates say their proposals would also restrict where regular cyclists could go.
Context: Cities across the metro are grappling with a rise in the number of kids using high-powered electric motorcycles, also known as e-motos.
- E-motos are often falsely advertised online as e-bikes and exceed the motor power allowed under state law. Many parents are buying them for their kids without realizing they're prohibited.
State of play: Both Clive and Waukee are scrapping their originally proposed bike ordinances and are presenting new versions following feedback from local groups like the Street Collective and the Iowa Bicycle Coalition.
What's new: Clive is considering a first reading of its revised proposal Thursday night, police chief Mark Rehberg tells Axios.
- The new language is simplified and drops a provision that would have required cyclists to use a bike lane or trail instead of the road when one was available. Rehberg says the city never intended to restrict traditional cyclists, but the language was confusing, so it was cut.
- The ordinance adds a clearer definition of e-motos and new protections for cyclists, including a suggested 3-foot passing distance for cars and a requirement that vehicles yield to cyclists at crosswalks.
- A 20 mph speed limit on trails remains.
Waukee Mayor Courtney Clarke and police chief Chad McCluskey did not share details about the city's updated draft ordinance with Axios, noting it was still being finalized.
- The revised ordinance is expected to be online Friday, ahead of Monday's City Council meeting.
- McCluskey tells Axios city leaders are working to balance safety concerns with cyclist feedback received last month.
- Waukee's original proposal would have banned all cyclists and scooters from roads where a trail, bike lane or sidewalk was available, as well as from any road with a speed limit above 25 mph.
What they're saying: Street Collective executive director Alex Rice says she's appreciative that the councils were willing to take feedback, though there are still some things she opposes, including the speed limit.
The bottom line: "The most important thing is getting it right," says Clive assistant city manager Pete De Kock. "Having some additional time to get that done and receive good feedback — that's what's most important."