Eden Prairie turns to education as e-bike concerns persist

The Eden Prairie City Council revisited its debate over e-bikes and scooters at a Sept. 2 workshop, guided by Police Chief Matt Sackett and Parks and Recreation Director Amy Markle.

The Eden Prairie Police and Parks and Recreation departments collaborated over the summer to collect data on e-bike and e-scooter usage, identify main issues, and review how other cities are addressing them. The departments also worked with the city communications department to create educational tools to display around the community.

The council has discussed e-bikes and e-scooters at three meetings and plans to invite Sackett and Markle back for a fourth.

E-bike classifications fall into three categories, according to the city:

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Class 1: A bicycle that provides motor assistance only while pedaling, up to 20 miles per hour. It does not have a throttle.

Class 2: A bicycle that can provide motor assistance up to 20 miles per hour without pedaling. Class 2 e-bikes have a throttle.

Class 3: A bicycle that provides motor assistance while pedaling, up to 28 miles per hour. It does not have a throttle. Class 3 e-bikes with throttles exist but are illegal in Minnesota.

A fourth type of motorized bicycle, called an e-moto, does not have pedals and is propelled entirely by a motor. They are not allowed on roads or trails in Minnesota.

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Minnesota law allows people 15 and older to ride an e-bike, with no helmet requirement. Riders 12 and older can operate motorized scooters, but anyone under 18 must wear a helmet.

Key issues

Markle said the biggest issues with e-bike and e-scooter use in Eden Prairie have been underage riders, high speeds that raise safety concerns, and a disregard for other trail users. She added there has also been an uptick in unauthorized vehicles called e-motos – fully motorized bicycles with no pedals.

E-motos are not allowed on trails or streets in Eden Prairie, Markle said. The only designated space for them is state ATV trails, which Eden Prairie does not have.

Sackett said the police department received 27 calls about e-bikes and e-scooters this summer. Some were proactive, with residents alerting law enforcement to potential issues before they became serious, but most were reactive.

Markle said the parks department received 25 calls this summer about motorized bikes and scooters, down from 40 last year. Fifteen were complaints and 10 were questions.

If you see e-bike or e-scooter use you want to report, Sackett said calling 911 is allowed and encouraged.

City Manager Rick Getschow said the issue is not unique to Eden Prairie. Surrounding suburbs are facing similar problems and working to decide how to regulate them.

Educational solutions

Eden Prairie created a variety of educational tools for use in public spaces, such as parks, and on social media. Police officers also educate children and parents by stationing themselves in areas where e-bikes are commonly used, to make sure residents understand what is allowed and what is not.

Markle said the parks department has posted signs in parks and other areas where dangerous riding often occurs. The signs explain how to use e-bikes and e-scooters properly and safely.

The signs are posted at higher-traffic trail areas, such as Staring and Round lakes, as well as near the Skate Plaza, Markle said.

The city also launched a new bike safety page on its website with general guidelines for bicycle and e-bike use and a frequently asked questions section for residents.

Anyone riding an e-bike in Eden Prairie is encouraged to wear a helmet. Riders under 15 are not allowed to use e-bikes with or without parental supervision, according to the city’s website.

E-bike safety has been featured in the City Manager’s Report several times this summer, Markle said. The city also launched a social media campaign reminding residents of safe riding guidelines.

Markle said the Eden Prairie Community Center is considering adding a scooter rack, since some people have ridden them inside because there isn’t a good place to put them.

Sackett said enforcement and education on e-bikes can be confusing because the technology is evolving faster than legislation. That makes it difficult to know what is permitted and what is not.

“It can get very confusing – confusing for those of us that are supposed to educate and enforce, let alone for the public,” Sackett said. “But we just need to keep talking, and the education is going to be able to make sure we reach as many people as possible.”

Markle said other cities, such as Edina and Plymouth, launched similar educational campaigns this summer, including videos and social media posts to inform residents about e-bike safety. 

Sackett filmed two versions of an educational video on safety guidelines – one in English and another in English with a Somali translation by Community Services Representative Mohamed Duale – to make the information more accessible.

Other cities generally have not passed ordinances for e-bikes, with two exceptions in Edina and Excelsior, Sackett said. In Edina’s 50th and France area, the city requires helmets and prohibits riding on sidewalks. Excelsior also requires riders to wear helmets.

Eden Prairie does not have an e-bike ordinance and instead follows state law on e-bike safety.

The state has not passed legislation beyond existing safety statutes, and the technology is quickly outpacing the guidelines already in place, Sackett said.

What the council thinks

Council Member Lisa Toomey asked whether the city should impose restrictions before the state does to prevent a serious accident.

Mayor Ron Case said the City Council’s job is to protect residents, and passing legislation would be one way to do that.

“Our role in passing any kind of regulatory legislation would be to protect our residents,” Case said. “So the idea of waiting, we could wait five years, and meanwhile, if some of our walking residents along the trail get hit by some e-bike, and we didn’t do anything to limit it and/or enforce it, then shame on us.”

Case said that while additional safety regulations should be put in place, he also sees the value of e-bikes because they get kids outside.

“We all want our kids to go out and get exercise, and these are limiting that,” Case said. “That being said, they’re not looking at their phone or their computer screen at home when they’re out on an e-bike. So it’s a good thing there that we’re getting kids outside.”