Fredonia passes ordinance regulating e-bikes

Operating an electric bike in the Village of Fredonia now comes with rules beyond those set by state statutes.

The Village Board last week unanimously approved an e-bike ordinance without any discussion. It’s the same version the board discussed at its Sept. 3 meeting.

The six-page ordinance allows e-bikes with a top speed of 20 mph that can be throttle-powered without pedaling or by pedal assist on sidewalks, but not e-bikes with a top speed of 28 mph that require pedaling to engage the motor. Riders of the faster bikes must be at least 16 years old.

Speeds are not to be “unreasonable or imprudent under the circumstances.”

The bikes don’t have speedometers, Village Marshal Eric Leet told the board on Sept. 3, so speed limits aren’t feasible.

The village may prohibit the use of bikes on certain sidewalks, parks or pedestrian areas.

E-bikes on roadways are to travel in the direction of traffic and “as near as practicable to the right-hand edge” of the road, according to the ordinance.

E-bikes may not be parked on a sidewalk or other public property in a way that obstructs travel or blocks entrances or emergency access.

Modifying e-bikes to alter speed or class is prohibited.

The marshal’s office and other law enforcement agencies have authority to enforce the ordinance. Impounded bikes will be held for at least 30 days unless the owner pays any fees associated with a violation before the 30-day limit is up.

Leet said the ordinance achieves multiple objectives.

“A review of the village’s ordinances found that they do not specifically address the operation of electric bicycles or electric scooters, leaving the village subject to the default rights and restrictions established under state statute,” he wrote in a memo to the Village Board.

“Staff reviewed the applicable state statutes to determine the current requirements and restrictions, as well as the areas where municipalities have authority to establish additional local regulations.”

The ordinance also “establishes clear and consistent rights and restrictions” for e-bikes and “provides the village with an additional enforcement tool to address highly reckless or dangerous operation through a municipal ordinance citation,” according to the memo.

The ordinance, Leet said, updates the village’s tools in addressing e-bikes and “gives us a new and welcome one to deal with the problems.”

The vote was 5-0. Trustees Shane Van Roo and DJ Syring were absent.