ESTHERVILLE, IA (Northwestiowanow) – The City of Estherville has updated its bicycle ordinance to now include e-bikes and electric scooters.

The motion was adopted during a regular city council meeting Monday, September 21.  Electric devices will now be covered under the city’s existing bicycle rules and regulations.  Estherville Police Chief Brent Shatto says the updated ordinance gives police more authority to enforce those regulations.

Previously, e-bikes and scooters were not explicitly covered by the city’s existing ordinance. Shatto says the goal of adding them is to better educate riders about the rules and operating them safely.

A proposed 10-mile-per-hour speed limit on city sidewalks was brought up for the second time but failed to receive enough votes to pass.

Shatto says the city is also looking at how other communities regulate e-bikes and scooters before considering additional restrictions.