West Des Moines considers e-bike ordinance
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Dave Simmons says advertising e-motos like this as e-bikes is part of the problem. Photo: Carrie Shepherd/Axios
The West Des Moines City Council is considering moving forward with a long-awaited high-speed e-mobility ordinance tonight, but local cycling advocates say there's still a safety gap on city streets.
Why it matters: Parents in the Des Moines metro are unknowingly buying their kids electric motorcycles and high-speed e-scooters, which can move at 30–60 miles per hour.
State of play: West Des Moines approved the first reading of its bike ordinance late last month, banning the high-speed devices on trails and sidewalks.
- Traditional, lower-speed e-bikes and e-scooters would still be allowed.
- Parents of children under 14 could receive a violation from police for a first offense. Subsequent violations could result in a municipal infraction, though no dollar amount is specified.
What they're saying: The city has already done extensive workshopping on its cycling ordinance, which Rose Willey-Farver, board president of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, commended during the city's Sept. 21 council meeting.
Yes, but: Willey-Farver told the council that the ordinance would still allow high-speed e-motos and e-scooters on roads without a driver's license, registration or insurance.
- She recommended requiring those items if they're going to be ridden on roads.
The other side: Councilman Doug Loots says city staff deliberately left out those requirements, noting that the city views license and registration as a state regulation.
- Mayor Russ Trimble says that requiring that process would effectively ban the high-speed devices until the Legislature comes up with its own registration process.
The big picture: As Iowa reckons with an increase in teen accidents involving high-speed devices, city leaders across the metro have spent the summer debating how regulations should look without accidentally restricting other sidewalk and trail users.
The bottom line: Councilman Greg Hudson notes the ordinance could be amended in the future and it's a "positive start."
What's next: The council meeting is Monday at City Hall at 5:30pm.