Second Reading of New Hampton City PTD Ordinance Passes

The New Hampton City Council has advanced the second 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. 

During the August 3rd City Council meeting, much of the discussion over the Personal Transportation Device ordinance centered around age requirements on helmets and whether a license required to operate a moped should also apply to E-bikes.

Police Chief Conrad Rosendahl urged Council members to not lose sight of their goal to make the streets and sidewalks safer.

City Attorney Todd Prichard, a former state legislator, said the City’s ordinance is a good starting point, but noted that state lawmakers may eventually weigh in that could change how e-bikes/e-scooters are regulated down the road.

Prichard said it’s an issue that is in flux.

The second reading of the ordinance was unanimously approved, though nothing is official until a third reading of the ordinance passes.