OCONOMOWOC — During its Common Council meeting tonight, the government body will continue to discuss how to address the increased use of e-bikes and e-scooters in the city.
City staff is recommending repealing the current ordinance addressing bikes and to modify it with a few additions to including the definition of an e-bike, electric scooters and other electric-propelled devices, redefine where the usage is restricted, and update applicable state laws adopted.
Some of the revisions include that no one shall ride a bicycle, e-bike or e-scooter, or electric personal assistive mobility device on the city streets with his/her feet removed from the pedals. Trick riding is prohibited, such as doing a wheelie or burns. Also, no one should ride two abreast except for in a parade and riding a bicycle, e-bike, electric scooters, and electric personal assistive mobility device is prohibited on any sidewalk in an area that is not zoned residential other than for “learning the operation of a bicycle.”
The use of motor vehicles around bikes and scooters was also taken into consideration. According to the revised ordinance, “the operator of a vehicle shall yield the right-of-way to a user of bicycles, e-bikes, electric scooters and other electric propelled devices in the same manner as for bicyclists and pedestrians.” Bicyclists and scooter riders also must yield the right-of-way to motor vehicles when entering a public roadway.
When it comes to riding on sidewalks or walkways, anyone using bicycles, e-bikes, electric scooters and other electric-propelled devices must yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and must be careful when passing any other person.
The Common Council will meet at 7:30 p.m. tonight in the City Hall Council Chambers, 174 E. Wisconsin Ave.
Preceding the council meeting, the Committee-of-the-Whole will gather at 6:20 p.m. to go into closed session to discuss potential provision of sanitary sewer capacity to the Village of Lac La Belle, as well as to discuss number of terms and term limits for elected officials.