By: Matt Scher, matts@977thebolt.com
Humboldt, IA – Humboldt City Council is considering tougher regulations on e-bikes, electric scooters and other micro-mobility devices after hearing concerns Monday about numerous close calls involving young riders throughout the community.
The discussion centered on reports of children riding double, ignoring stop signs and intersections, traveling on prohibited sidewalks and operating the devices at speeds that concern both residents and law enforcement.
Police Chief Jacob Miller said officers have tried to educate young riders, many of whom are around 9 years old, but warned that more action may be needed before someone is seriously injured.
“The problem with the mobility devices, if we want to call them that, is their acceleration,” Miller said. “When I was a kid, we had bicycles, and we pedaled hard, but we could only accelerate so fast. You can’t do 20 miles an hour in two seconds.”
Miller said officers typically stop children when they can, remind them to slow down, obey traffic laws and stay off prohibited sidewalks, but believes a more formal education effort is needed.
“I think we need to put on something a little bit more formal than that, because the next option for the police department is to start fining and confiscation,” he said. “Somebody is going to get hurt.”
Council members and residents discussed several possible solutions, including requiring owners to register e-bikes and scooters with the city and display identification stickers similar to those used on golf carts. Supporters said registration could help police identify riders and encourage parents to take greater responsibility.
Resident Barry Ellis told council members he has spoken with parents whose responses ranged from indifference to believing children would only learn after getting hurt.
“It’s time to do something about it,” Ellis said. “Let’s make Humboldt start doing something that other cities can follow.”
Another proposal would simplify the city’s ordinance by prohibiting all bikes, scooters, skateboards and similar devices from traveling in the downtown Sumner Avenue business district, rather than regulating only certain types of electric devices.
Miller said the current rules can be confusing for children because some devices are allowed in certain places while others are not.
“I think if we made it so that they can’t ride on Sumner at all, they can cross Sumner, just can’t ride on it, I think that would eliminate some confusion,” he said.
Council members also supported developing a community education program for both children and parents. Ideas included partnering with the hospital, creating an obstacle course to teach safe riding practices, and incorporating micromobility safety into the school district’s existing student safety day.
No action was taken Monday.
Chief Miller will research registration options, review what other Iowa communities are doing and return to the council with recommendations for possible ordinance changes.