E‑bikes and scooters are zipping through Storm Lake — and now the city wants to pump the brakes.
The Storm Lake City Council spent more than 20 minutes Monday night digging into what members called a growing safety problem on city streets, sidewalks and the lake trail — the rapid rise of e‑bikes, e‑scooters, mini‑bikes and other electric‑powered devices.
Police Chief Chris Cole told the council the issue has escalated quickly, with more riders, more speed and more close calls. He said officers are now seeing everything from modified scooters capable of highway speeds to young children riding without supervision.
Cole noted Storm Lake had two injury crashes last month involving scooters or e‑bikes and cars. He also pointed out that Iowa law requires riders of certain electric‑assist devices to be at least 16 years old — a rule he said many families may not realize.
One of the biggest challenges, he said, is enforcement. Officers can’t realistically run radar on trails or chase down every unsafe rider. That’s why Cole suggested clearer rules — and consequences that involve parents.
Council members agreed the issue is complicated. They raised concerns about headphones blocking riders’ ability to hear traffic, nighttime riding without lights and scooters appearing on high‑speed roads like Iowa Highway 7 and County Road C49.
Mayor Meg McKeon said the problem isn’t limited to kids.
Several council members said they support exploring helmet requirements, age limits, speed restrictions on trails and rules for where devices can and cannot operate. Others emphasized the need for education — for both riders and parents — and suggested partnering with Iowa Lakes Community College on safety training similar to moped certification.
McKeon said the volume of public concern makes it clear the council needs more than one discussion.
The council agreed to hold a public input session at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, June 29, at the Chautauqua Park Park Shelter House.
No ordinance language has been drafted yet. Monday’s work session was strictly informational, but council members made it clear that local rules are coming, and they want the community involved before decisions are made.
