Lakewood Debates Rules for E‑Bikes and Scooters

The Lakewood City Council wrestles with updating bike and e‑mobility codes to match state law, address powerful electric motorcycles, and balance safety, enforcement, and access on sidewalks and shared‑use paths. Residents press the council to treat e‑bikes as transportation while staff emphasize current reckless‑operation rules and ongoing collaboration with police on future enforcement. 11mins

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Original Meeting

Monday, July 6th, 2026
2501.966667
Housing, Planning & Development
Full Meeting on Granicus
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In This Video
  • A speaker introduced a broad discussion on updating city code to regulate bike and e-mobility infrastructure, noting rapid growth in devices and related safety and enforcement concerns.
  • Assistant Director Baas explained that proposed bike and motorcycle code updates were aimed at aligning local rules with state law for better enforceability, incorporating resident feedback on shared use paths without completely overhauling existing regulations.
  • Assistant Director Baas outlined challenges in defining high‑powered electric motorcycles outside existing state code, described how those devices differ from e‑bikes, and reviewed emerging regulatory and labeling practices to guide enforcement and public education.
  • Assistant Director Baas emphasized that existing reckless operation and sidewalk rules already applied to all devices, and discussed adopting holistic ‘rules of the road’ that balance enforceability with preserving access for users such as seniors relying on e-bikes.
  • Council Member Baker supported using reckless operation rules to address unsafe riding by electric mopeds near children, backed a cautious approach that limits higher‑speed devices in the city, and highlighted the need for coordinated, timely action in response to constituent concerns.
  • Emily Lindbergh urged the city to regulate e-bikes like traditional bicycles while using reckless operation rules to protect pedestrians, stressing that sidewalks and shared paths served as essential transportation infrastructure rather than just recreation space.
  • A committee member asked about coordination with the police on new traffic codes, and Assistant Director Baas explained ongoing collaboration with Lakewood Police Department while emphasizing that current rules could still be enforced as ordinance updates were refined.
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