Riders also could not use them on sidewalks in business districts, under the ordinance.
ANKENY, Iowa — The Ankeny City Council is considering introducing new rules for e-scooters and e-bikes.
Almost everyone who spoke at Monday’s council meeting talked about e-scooter and e-bike changes. They said they’ve been using the trails for years and have had close calls with people going too fast.
Notably it would prohibit people from going over 20 miles an hour. Currently, riders can go up to 28 miles an hour on certain types of e-bikes.
They could only be used on multi-use trails, streets and residential sidewalks. Riders could not use them on sidewalks in business districts.
Many of the speakers acknowledged that e-bike and e-scooter use is a big concern.
“There needs to be a speed limit on the bike trail,” Ankeny resident Glen McPhail said. “I think 20 miles an hour is way too fast. I’m seeing little kids on these e-motorcycles. There’s one adult winding around on the bike trail.”
Ankeny Police Chief Darius Potts was out of town for spring break and couldn’t attend the Monday meeting in person.
He said on Zoom that he wants to eventually have speakers travel to schools to teach students about safety. The chief also plans to install signs to let people know about the changes.
“Our main goal with this ordinance is a huge educational campaign,” Potts said. “We won’t do any enforcement until we get on social media, television, radio, whatever we need to do to inform the community.”
Under the ordinance, riders would also be required to have a front white light, a rear red light and working brakes.
Anyone found in violation of any of the rules would face a simple misdemeanor charge.
A bill was introduced this legislative session that would have limited their use to roads that have a speed limit of 25 miles per hour or lower. That bill ended up being tabled, following pushback from the cycling community.
