ESTHERVILLE, IA (Northwestiowanow) – The Estherville City Council is moving forward with regulations for electric-powered mobility devices.

During its regular meeting Monday, August 17, the council voted to update the city’s existing bicycle regulations to include electric-powered devices such as e-bikes and electric scooters.

City Administrator Penny Clayton says the changes are intended to bring newer forms of transportation under the same framework already used for bicycles.

 

Under the ordinance, operators would be required to maintain control of their devices.

 

 

Concerns were also raised about younger riders and whether the city should establish a minimum age requirement for operating e-bikes and similar devices.

A previously proposed 10-mile-per-hour speed limit for the devices was also tabled pending further discussion.

The ordinance includes penalties for riders who violate the regulations.

 

Clayton says city staff will gather information from other Iowa communities before bringing additional recommendations back to the council.