E-bike ordinance

A parent described e-bike and e-moto riders endangering children at parks and sidewalks, and asked for stronger enforcement, signage, education, impoundment, and park bans.

With Safe IE, thanked the council for continued e-bike work, noted a recent child injured on 65th Street, and pressed for safe bike lanes and school-route planning, especially on Harrison.

President of SAFE IE — whose son was killed riding near his high school — questioned the 'bikeway' language, arguing the city needs protected bike lanes, especially on routes to schools.

Was hit by a 12-year-old on a scooter the week before and supports the ordinance partly so victims can pursue parents for damages.

A crossing guard at Whispering Hills and Harrison described the 'wild west' of young e-bike riders and pushed for helmet enforcement and a minimum age limit.

Asked for more driver-perspective protections and urged a balanced approach that regulates safety without banning e-bikes people rely on to commute.

A lifelong cyclist questioned helmet-law research, asked for a breakdown of crashes by e-bike class, and urged protecting Class 1-2 e-bikes while adding bike lanes near schools.

VP of Streets Are For Everyone IE warned e-motos use pedal kits to fake street legality and pushed education over punishment, citing safety courses and other cities' models and noting SB 1167 passed the Senate.