Last revised on: October 18, 2024
Hoping to feel some relief from the high speed bicycles on trails, sidewalks and streets? View these updates*, and draw your own conclusion.
*Note: The Fox9 article says Shorewood is working on regulation. Let them know your position.
1. Best Contact Option: Attend and /or speak up at City Council meetings
2. Contact City Council Members
- Dustin Maddy (612) 293-6727 dmaddy@shorewoodmn.gov
Jennifer Labadie (952) 836-8719 jlabadie@shorewoodmn.gov
Michelle DiGruttolo (517) 422-9528 mdigruttolo@shorewoodmn.gov
Guy Sanschagrin (952) 217-1289 gsanschagrin@shorewoodmn.gov
Nat Gorham (617) 780-7771 ngorham@shorewoodmn.gov
City Administrator: mnevinski@ci.shorewood.mn.us
Excelsior passed an emergency ordinance, effective June 13th, 2024 that states: “Any person under the age of 18 operating or riding upon an electric-assisted bicycle shall wear a helmet or other protective headgear approved for bicycle riding by the United States Department of Transportation or American National Standards Institute (ANSI).”
The MN Legislature made a weak pass at tightening “rules” for e-bikes. Included in the new State legislation:
- To keep the fastest e-bikes off trails shared with pedestrians, the legal definition of an “electric-assisted bicycle” has been updated to more accurately explain what is not an e-bike such as those that exceed the lawful speed and power limits. The goal is to help keep the fastest e-bikes off shared trails.
- Safety training in public schools must include e-bike safety, which specifically includes that any person under 15 is not allowed to operate an e-bike.
- A definition of a “vulnerable road user” was added to the law that includes pedestrians using bikeways, trails and sidewalks.
- E-bike sellers must disclose details, including maximum motor power and speed of the bike being purchased.
Will this resolve the matter of fleets of adolescents riding 2 or 3 per bike, on local streets, trails and sidewalks at speeds up to 30 mph? The effectiveness of these rules is up to the reader to determine.
Sources:
Mastering the 2024 Minnesota E-Bike Laws, thecyclistchoice.com
Class II E-Bikes: Parents, Policy and Policing, Shorewood Citizen Advocates, July 2023
Added Safety is the Aim of New E-Bike Legislation, Eden Prairie News
