E-bikes and scooters targeted again, this time by Garden City. Can you ride a Lime?
In what it called an effort to improve public safety, Garden City has passed a new ordinance to address the use of high-speed electric motorbikes and high-speed e-scooters in the city — joining Boise in targeting the vehicles, which have grown in popularity.
On Monday, the Garden City Council unanimously passed ordinance No. 1068-26, which bans the use of e-bikes that exceed 750 watts and 28 miles per hour and e-scooters that exceed 300 watts and 15 mph on the Boise River Greenbelt, city parks, crosswalks, bike lanes and bike paths.
“The safety and well-being of our residents and visitors is our top priority,” Mayor Bill Jacobs said in a news release. “While we embrace innovative transportation options, high-speed electric motorbikes and scooters present unique hazards in areas designed for traditional bicycles, pedestrians, and low-speed e-bikes.
“This ordinance ensures that everyone can enjoy our parks, trails, and streets safely.”
Jacobs told the Idaho Statesman on Thursday that the use of ever-popular Lime scooters is still permitted everywhere in the city. Lime scooters and bikes top out at 15 mph.
The Garden City Police Department posted a video to its Facebook page Thursday helping to explain the new regulations. Enforcement will begin after a public education campaign, officials said.
“We encourage everyone to familiarize themselves with these new rules,” Jacobs said. “Our goal is compliance through education first, but we will enforce these regulations to ensure public safety.”
Key provisions in the new ordinance are:
• Define high-speed electric motorbikes and high-speed electric scooters as distinct vehicle categories subject to specific regulations.
• Prohibit the use of high-speed electric motorbikes and high-speed electric scooters on the street unless titled and insured, and on the Greenbelt, within city parks, on sidewalks, within crosswalks, and in designated bike lanes and bike paths.
• Clarify that prohibited acts related to reckless or inattentive operation apply to all types of vehicles, defacing public or private property, and unlawful use of public spaces.
• Establish infraction penalties for violations of the ordinance of $300 plus court costs, which is the maximum possible penalty for infractions. The Garden City Police Department also said e-bikes and e-scooters could be impounded.
Officials say the new ordinance was spurred by the increasing use of so-called high-speed e-motos in the city, which “exceed the design parameters of infrastructure intended for traditional bicycles and low-speed e-bikes.” Complaints from residents were also taken into consideration, officials said.
The city of Boise earlier this month addressed the same issue, taking action amid a “concerning surge” of injuries related to electric transportation methods, as well as an influx of vehicles sold as e-bikes even though they are much more powerful, according to previous Statesman reporting.
