Goose Creek advances e-bike regulations with few changes

Both residents and leaders previously had reservations about the ordinance, with some thinking e-bikes needed further regulation similar to that of mopeds, while others said the devices should be kept off roadways entirely and allowed on sidewalks.

Some residents expressed concern the rules negatively impacting people who rely on e-bikes and e-scooters as a main form of transportation, and some even worried that mandating e-bikes share the road with cars could lead to more accidents and injuries.

Mayor Gregory Habib said during City Council’s Dec. 9 meeting that he struggled with regulating e-bikes more stringently than normal bicycles, though he acknowledged how reckless some minors have become with the devices.

During Council’s Feb. 10 meeting, Habib said he did not think the ordinance prevents people from using e-bikes to commute to work, a shift from his stance in December.

“My problem with too much regulation on the e-bikes is that’s how many people get to work today, and it’s a very important mode of transportation, and people need to be able to use it to get to work,” he said. “I don’t think this ordinance inhibits that ability. And so I think that’s very important to me, one’s ability to get to a job.”

Johnson said though the ordinance did not see many changes from its December iteration, the mayor’s push to hold off on passing the ordinance then allowed time for more discussion and input.

Edie May, the owner of It’s Electric – The eBike Shop, said Police Chief LJ Roscoe consulted with her on the ordinance. She said she doesn’t think the new rules will be prohibitive to adult riders, who she estimated make up about 60 percent of her clientele. She added that the requirements for lights and safety gear were great, though she had reservations about e-bikes, like normal bicycles, not being allowed on sidewalks.

Roscoe, who brought the ordinance to Council, said during a January council workshop that the rules would be a tool to help address people who do not ride the bikes safely, though she noted police are “not going to run radar” on e-bikes as a standard practice.