LOWVILLE, New York (WWNY) – Electric bikes and scooters have become popular, and along with that popularity, some say a nuisance. It’s not just cities like Watertown seeing issues arise from E-Bikes.
“Kari, yes. Tony, yes. Myself, yes. Mr Terrillion, yes. Mr Widrick. yes,” Lowville board members said.
With that vote, a new village law passes in Lowville, placing restrictions on electric bikes and scooters. Mayor Danny Salmon says the village is following the state’s lead.
“Pretty much what we’ve done is rubber-stamped the state law, which says that ebikes for anybody under 16 are not allowed, you need to wear a helmet,” said Mayor Danny Salmon.
It also prohibits ebikes and scooters from operating on the sidewalk.
“I know the idea behind it was for the ebikes, scooters, the motorized things that go pretty fast, but I also noticed that regular bicycles are included in this,” said Joe Austin.
Lowville fire chief and resident Joe Austin brought up in the meeting that the language of the law was written to include regular bikes in the sidewalk ban. Although state law technically doesn’t allow any bikes on the sidewalks, he and others feel it’s safer for children rather than riding in the street.
“We will strike that from the law,” said Salmon.
The language was changed to allow manual bikes and scooters. Salmon says the law is about safety, not banning all bikes.
“We want our children to be able to enjoy the opportunity to ride their bikes. We all did as kids and we want that to continue. If we see a child riding a bike in a reckless manner, we will address it. We have to for the child’s safety,” said Salmon.
Officials say that once the language in the law is finalized, the law will take effect in about a month.
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