Snohomish to place boundaries on e-bike use on trails, at parks

Snohomish officials are moving to restrict electric bicycles and scooters on city trails and in parks due to rising safety concerns. During the City Council meeting on August 19, Public Works Director Nova Heaton announced plans for new signage to be installed this fall, specifically to prohibit powered modes in areas like skate parks. The proposed regulations would permit only pedal-assist mode on certain designated trails. Police Chief Nathan Alanis pointed out enforcement difficulties stemming from the current municipal code, which lacks specific language addressing e-bikes. The existing regulations do apply to motorized scooters, including age and speed restrictions, with fines escalating for repeated violations.

E-bikes in the U. S. are designed to limit speeds, but can be modified to exceed those limits, raising safety issues. The city aims to balance safety with the growing use of electric mobility devices. The proposed changes reflect a broader trend among municipalities grappling with similar challenges.