Sioux Falls Council Deals With E-bikes On City Trails

Some residents would like to see some e-bikes kicked off the Sioux Falls bike trails. Others depend on them for transportation. 

The topic of class 2 e-bikes was a hot topic at Tuesday night's Sioux Falls City Council meeting.

A Class 2 e-bike is defined as a throttle-assisted electric bike with a maximum speed of 20 mph.

If you've been out on the wonderful Sioux Falls bike trail system you know there are already many e-bikes being ridden on the paths and sidewalks.

According to Dakota News Now one lifelong resident of Sioux Falls, John Claussen, said he’s an avid user of the Sioux Falls bike trails and fears for the safety of walkers, runners, and cyclists on class 1 bikes.

A study conducted by the Sioux Falls Police Department revealed that the average speed on these trails and sidewalks is approximately 11 miles per hour.

Class 2 electric bicycles have the capability of reaching speeds up to 20 miles per hour.

Nevertheless, despite their higher potential speed, these electric bicycles are not classified as motorcycles under the current regulations.

If you have spent much time on our city bike trails you will note that e-bikes are generally not the fastest-moving two-wheelers on the paths.

Councilman Greg Neitzter explained that class 2 e-bikes are already on trails and he wants to add appropriate regulations.

Neitzter said, “The education, the enforcement, getting the signage out there and having those discussions with people about just being nice.”

The Sioux Falls city council voted 8 - 0 in favor of permitting class 2 bicycles to be allowed on city bike paths.

The city plans to install specific signage indicating speed limits for these pathways.

Enforcement of these speed limits by the police will mirror the process of being pulled over while operating a motor vehicle, ensuring compliance and safety.

Voting led to a unanimous 8 - 0 vote to approve class 2 bikes on the same pathways as class 1 bikes.

The city looks to add specific signage with speed limits and an example of police enforcing those speeds will be similar to being pulled over in a car.

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Original: Sioux Falls Council Deals With E-bikes On City Trails