01-14-2026 PRSR - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Parks and Recreation Commission Minutes Page 3 December 10, 2025 campaign, including regular bicycles as well. He thinks it could include social media messages as well as in person events with his staff. Chair Anderson asked the commissioners about their thoughts on the proposed ordinance before them tonight, which was prepared by Mr. Shelby with the assistance of the subcommittee of Commissioners Stewart, Niziolek and Chair Anderson. Chair Anderson said under 76.01C in the provided ordinance draft (he read it) he thinks for the purpose of not understating the obvious they could include: This shall include, but not be limited to, vehicles that resemble electric-assisted bicycles for example e-moto but exceed the 750-watt motor power limit or the 28 miles per hour maximum assisted speed limit. Commissioner Goodwin asked if the intent was to add sidewalks to it so that it is more holistic. Mr. Shelby said that the Chief just wanted to let them know that it will be the City Councils intent to add something that is tied to sidewalks and maybe particular area usage as it related to these devices. It wouldn’t change what is in here but it would be more of an additional piece so there aren’t multiple ordinances. He thinks public works; the City Council and City Attorney would put that together. Commissioner Goodwin said she still has a lot of questions about what can be ridden on the sidewalks vs. the streets etc. Mr. Shelby said he thinks a lot of people do and that’s the e- motos in particular. He explained that the bikes that can go over 28 mph no longer fall into the definition of the devices listed here such as a bike or EPMD. They must follow the rules of the road like automobiles and motorcycles and need to be licensed. They have become so quickly available and the companies that have put them out on the consumer market have not been completely transparent in terms of where they might fall into a legally gray area in terms of usage. Commissioner Goodwin said that she thinks that we need to offer some clarity to the residents of Elk River. Chair Anderson said that there are designated trails typically on 1,000’s of acres where they can be ridden on but not here in Elk River other than private property. Commissioner Goodwin is curious how to identify trails that people can be ridden on with these bikes and if there would be one created in Elk River at one of the parks. Chair Anderson said that Elk River doesn’t have parks large enough to accommodate trails for this. Mr. Shelby said that over the past couple of weeks both local and national media have started to look at the sellers of these bikes and their lack of educating the purchasers about where they can ride them. He said they don’t want to discourage residents from using the parks but that they need to act responsibly and do what’s right in the eyes of safety. Page 4 of 36