ANKENY, Iowa – With warmer spring weather bringing more people onto trails across central Iowa, officials are launching a regional effort to promote safety and proper trail etiquette.
Nine metro counties are working together on the “Ride Safe ‘n Smart” campaign, which aims to raise awareness about trail safety as usage increases during the spring and summer months.
Officials say the campaign focuses on simple safety reminders for pedestrians, cyclists and riders using electric-powered devices.
The Ride Safe ‘n Smart recommended trail safety tips include: Ride right pass left, speak up before passing, pedestrians always have the right of way, slow down and stay in control, look both ways, and be visible. Ankeny, Clive, Des Moines, Grimes, Indianola, Norwalk, Urbandale, Waukee and West Des Moines are all involved in the effort.
Many cities are also updating ordinances related to e-bikes and e-scooters as their popularity grows.
In Ankeny, a new ordinance took effect Friday limiting electric scooters and e-bikes to speeds of no more than 20 miles per hour on trails, bike lanes, paths and sidewalks. Mopeds and e-motos are not allowed on those paths. The ordinance also establishes riding etiquette rules.
“Obviously, with higher speeds, we do see increased risk of significant injury. What we’re trying to do with this new ordinance is make sure that people are safe this summer when they’re outside recreating. We want that for all levels, whether you’re walking, riding a human-powered bike or riding an e-bike or e-scooter,” Sergeant Trevor McGraw with the Ankeny Police Department said.
E-moto enthusiasts weigh in on Ankeny’s regulation of e-bikes, e-scooters
So can people actually get in trouble for violating this ordinance?
“We’re going to start with the educational piece. This is enforceable technically in our city ordinance. All these violations are enforceable as a simple misdemeanor. So if we have instances that require that enforcement, then we’ll be taking that enforcement action. But right now, we want parents to help teach their kids these rules.”
Local bike shops are also encouraging riders and families to follow safety guidelines and understand the purpose of the new rules.
Donald Boss, of TekBoss Motorsports in Ankeny, says having clear regulations can benefit everyone.
“It’s not just the parents saying, ‘hey, I don’t want you to do this.’ There is at least something explaining why they’re telling their kids they can’t have one that does 60 miles an hour riding on a bike path, with people walking,” Boss said. “If it’s just a parent saying, we don’t want you to have that, then that argument kind of falls on deaf ears. But if there’s an ordinance in place, at least they can show like, hey, you know, we can’t do that because of this ordinance.”
This ordinance helps inexperienced young riders using these e-scooters and e-bikes, and can hopefully improve public opinion.
“We’ve got a bunch of pre-teens, we’re talking most of our customers that are buying these and riding them are 10 to 14. And they don’t have any driving experience. They’ve never been told how to handle a four way stop, what to yield to,” Boss said. “There’s been several kids on these bikes that have been hit by cars, and innocent people on the bike trail have been mowed down at very high rates of speed. I think if that can be eliminated, most of the negative feelings towards these are going to go away.”
Officials are also stressing the importance of wearing helmets when riding e-scooters and e-bikes to reduce the risk of injury.
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