Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutX-D-03 E-Bike Ordinance Recommendations City Council Memorandum To: Mayor Fasbender and City Council Members From: David Wilske, Chief of Police Date: March 3rd, 2025 Item: E-Bike Ordinance Recommendations from PSAC Council Action Requested: Accept recommendations regarding Electric Bikes as provided by the Public Safety Advisory Commission and request City Attorney to draft ordinance revisions. Background Information: The Public Safety Advisory Commission (PSAC) was requested to review city ordinance 70.09 regarding E-bicycle use in the City of Hastings. The PSAC reviewed Micromobility and E-Bike ordinances in neighboring jurisdictions and reviewed state statute language regarding E-Bikes. The PSAC developed ordinance recommendations to be added to 70.09 – Micromobility Vehicles and the memorandum from PSAC is included in your packet. Financial Impact: None Advisory Commission Discussion: Public Safety Advisory Commission: June – July 2024 and November 2024 - February 2025 Council Committee Discussion: Attachments: PSAC Memorandum X-D-03 To: Hastings City Council Hastings City Administration Fr: Public Safety Advisory Council Theresa Auge` Chair of PSAC February 23, 2025 Subject: Use of E-Bike within the City of Hastings The Commission thanks the council and administration for allowing us to extend an opinion on the topic of E-Bikes within the City of Hastings. The commission spent several months learning, studying current statue, and discussing this topic. The commission reached consensus on this topic and concluded their discussion on this topic at our February 20th meeting. Motion: We, the Public Safety Advisory Commission, support the following criteria to be considered for implementation into a city ordinance. Moved by Commissioner Gunter and seconded by Commissioner Givens. The motion passed unanimously. • No permit is required. • State law requires the operator to be 15 years of age or older. • A helmet is encouraged but not required. • Riders must ride in traffic on the street. There is no riding on city sidewalks. • Each bike must have a working headlight and taillight. See specifics in statute 169.011 • Insurance is not required but encouraged. • Eye protection is encouraged but not required. • Limit of 15 mph on City of Hastings Park and Bike trails. o Current City of Hastings Ordinance 94.09 identifies speed limit of 20mph; however, Dakota County Regional Trails speed limits at 15 mph and Hastings Park and Rec is interested in changing Hastings ordinance to be consistent with County. • Nothing in this ordinance shall be construed as an assumption of liability by the City of Hastings for any injuries to people on which may result from the operation of an E-bike. X-D-03