Minden is moving forward with plans to regulate e-scooters, e-bikes and hoverboards on public roads, following similar actions in Kearney and Hastings. Mayor Larry Evans said, “We never had any ordinance on the books for e-scooters or e-bikes or anything. This is all brand new.”
The proposed ordinance would ban lightweight motorized vehicles from roads with speed limits of 25 miles per hour or greater and in the business district. Additionally, riders would not be allowed to leave vehicles unattended in the downtown area and will need to yield to pedestrians on sidewalks and trails. Penalties for infractions are proposed to range from $10 for a first offense to $150 for a third.
During the city council meeting on Monday, both audience and council members discussed the need for these rules, particularly in the downtown district where younger residents have been reported driving recklessly. “We see young kids riding around on e-scooters, e-bikes, going through intersections… some have helmets on, some don’t,” Evans noted.
Avid e-bike rider Ted Griess expressed concerns about the proposed regulations during the meeting. He says that he and his wife own e-bikes that are hybrid models that can switch between motorized and standard modes, and expressed a desire for more clarification on the rules. “We thought that they were discriminating on e-bikes compared to regular standard bikes,” he said. “Ordinances help balance the whole situation with everyone in the community, so we understand it. We just weren’t pleased with some of the things.”
The city council must conduct three readings before the ordinance can pass, after which a period of typically 15 days must pass before the rules can be enforced. Evans indicated that further revisions are likely for their next reading, stating, “We will take the comments that were made tonight, visit with our city attorney, city administrator, chief of police, and we will probably make adjustments… to make it work.” He added that they would likely work with the schools and police in the future to communicate any rule changes to the city’s younger riders.
