E-Bikes: SLMPD is not Kidding Around
South Lake Minnetonka Police Department (serving Shorewood, Excelsior, Tonka Bay and Greenwood) has issued this statement:
“We are not trying to be the E-Bike Police or the Police that stop kids from being out & enjoying the sunshine…but we are the Police that will take action against illegal actions & will look after the safety of all those in our communities…With that being said, over the past few weeks, we have had numerous complaints of Off-Highway-Motorcycles that appear to E-Bikes. Sergeant Robertson is here to recap on a couple of incidents. Here’s going to be the biggest takeaways:
☑️ If our officers try to initiate a traffic stop, please stop. Being on an Off-Highway-Motorcycle & fleeing from police is a felony.
☑️ If you purchase one of these things there are age restrictions – anybody under 16 is not allowed to drive these things unless they have been issued a safety certificate or have a valid MN Driver’s License
☑️ They are not allowed to operate on public roads, thus the name of OFF-HIGHWAY-MOTORCYCLES
☑️ Parents can be issued a citation for allowing illegal operation
☑️ Keep in mind that there are not a lot of safety measures on these things either; they are not allowed to be driven on the roadway – crashing at 40+ miles per hour with only a bicycle helmet on could have fatal consequences…we do not want any form of tragedy to happen
☑️ Before you buy, make sure you’re asking all the right questions – Is it an E-Bike? Is my child old enough to be riding? And if you have more questions, feel free to reach out.”
The Purple Invader
A recent post on NextDoor cautioning readers to remove the invasive purple creeping bellflower, caused a battle of opinions. Turns out quite a few people enjoy the flash of purple popping up everywhere and feel extremely protective. But bellflower is no joke and compares to buckthorn with its invasiveness… This plant is non-native and thrives in any environment.
- Creeping bellflower is aggressive and can quickly take over gardens and natural areas.
- It spreads through thousands of seeds and rhizomes, making it persistent and hard to eliminate and is difficult to eradicate.
- Outcompetes native plants: It can outcompete native plants and disrupt ecosystems. – Source: University of Minnesota Extension.
Tree Replacement: Be Thoughtful
Recent storms and the emerald ash borer have drastically affected the regional tree cover. Before selecting a replacement consider a tree that is not vulnerable to the changing weather and will be the appropriate fit for your lot. Local ordinances may apply to where trees are located, such as ten feet away from property lines, and not on right-of-way.
