Revised October 14, 2024
The October 15 Shorewood council meeting will introduce an ordinance regulating e-bikes. (Read the ordinance here.) Until now, the council has not publicly discussed the e-bike chaos in our city. There was no public comment before the creation of this ordinance. How this version came to be, with so few specifics, is unknown. To be clear, Shorewood needs to regulate E-powered toys and should have done so a year ago. In the opinion of SCA, the ordinance is generic, seems to have no grasp of the problem, is possibly unenforceable and simply put does nothing to protect the health, safety and welfare of Shorewood residents.
Five Suggestions for Creating E-Bike Regulation:
1. Commit to enforce: The Council must clearly define expectations that police (SLPSD) officers enforce the ordinance without “fear or favor.” The Council must meet all requirements needed by Public Safety to adequately enforce.
2. Expect accountability: Citations, injuries to pedestrians and riders, and damage to property must be documented. Statistics must be available to the public.
3. Understand and make the distinction: The council could be operating in a bubble. Class I and III are pedal assist, with different speed ratings, and more aligned with traditional bicycles. Class II e-bikes are the nemesis. Throttle driven and easily modified by a 12 year-old, Class II bikes are fast (30+ mph) and dangerous. Ask the Council: Should all three be regulated in the same way?
4. Clarify the restrictions: The ordinance is not well thought out. Is it the intent that the city wants to push these bikes onto streets, or does it want them on the sidewalks and trails with pedestrians? What about the LRT? Or is it, as the ordinance now states, about demanding that a rider under 18 wear a helmet? Clarity works to alleviate the “not enforceable” excuse currently being used by public safety personnel.
5. Public engagement: Be professional: Make an honest effort to hear from residents. Let them talk in a forum. Listen to their suggestions. Then, act on the information they share. Everyone has a story, whether it is in a moving car surrounded by a gang of e-bikes, to near misses on our trail system or from a moving vehicle traveling down Smithtown at the posted 30 mph being passed by e-bikes riding on the adjacent sidewalk. Go one step further: Engage with Three Rivers, Hennepin County and adjoining cities! Make the comments and suggestions public and include an active website related to E-powered equipment operators.
Getting the policy right on e-bikes is a big deal. Shorewood is way behind the curve on this safety issue. This hurried “remedy” seems that the council has heard some concerns from residents and has come up with a meaningless “solution” to make it appear the issues are being addressed. Take the time to study the equipment, laws and requirements for enforcement. Put some teeth in the ordinance.
Involve your residents and get it right. Be leaders.
What you can do:
1. Best Option: attend and speak up at the City Council meeting on October 15 @ 7:00 pm.
2. Contact City Council Members
Dustin Maddy (612) 293-6727 dmaddy@ci.shorewood.mn.us
Jennifer Labadie (952) 836-8719 jlabadie@ci.shorewood.mn.us
Scott Zerby (952) 905-4444 szerby@ci.shorewood.mn.us
Guy Sanschagrin (952) 217-1289 gsanschagrin@ci.shorewood.mn.us
Paula Callies (763) 546-8020 pcallies@ci.shorewood.mn.us
More reading: E-bikes: Parents, Policy & Policing
