Public Hearing Gives New Hampton City Council Feedback on Personal Transportation Device Ordinance

The New Hampton City Council last week (07.20) advanced the first reading of an ordinance to address the growing problem of unsafe operation of electric scooters and electric bikes in City limits.

The increasing popularity of E-scooters and E-bikes has also increased the opportunity for accidents for riders, but also motorists and pedestrians. 

That’s a citizen relaying her story to the Council during a public hearing on the ordinance, with another resident expressing his concern about how quickly E-scooters and/or E-bikes seem to appear out of nowhere.

Councilwoman Deb Larson, Chair of the City’s Safety Committee, led the Council’s discussion of the Personal Transportation Device ordinance, including possible penalties.

Councilman Jeremy McGrath is on board with parental fines.

Mayor Steve Geerts summed up the discussion.

The first reading of the ordinance was unanimously approved, though nothing is official until a second and third reading of the ordinance passes. Those reading are anticipated to be on the agenda for the next two regular Council meetings on August 3rd and August 17th.

***Click here for more information on the ordinance, including an audio recording of the discussion from the July 20th City Council meeting.

The Charles City City Council is scheduled to discuss the issue during their work session this Wednesday (07.29) evening at 6 pm and encourages citizen/resident input.