Fort Mitchell Mayor Greg Pohlgeers wants to take the city's new e-bike restrictions beyond the Beechwood Road school zone.
The city council passed its "Walk your Wheels" ordinance on Oct. 12, requiring riders to walk e-bikes and e-scooters on sidewalks along Beechwood Road during school arrival and dismissal periods. Pohlgeers said he plans to expand the restrictions to other high-traffic areas throughout the city, according to Link NKY.
The school-zone rule applies 45 minutes before classes begin and 45 minutes after dismissal. It builds on regulations Fort Mitchell adopted earlier this year requiring helmets, lights, noisemakers and a 15 mph speed limit on sidewalks. The city also banned Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach 28 mph from all city sidewalks.
"Parents, I'm asking for your help, please have these conversations at home. Talk to your kids about responsible use, talk to them about yielding to pedestrians, talk to them about obeying the safety laws …" Pohlgeers said in a Facebook video about the .
Pohlgeers said he coordinated with Justin Kaiser, superintendent of Beechwood Independent Schools, who supports the measure. During the council's consideration of the ordinance in September, Pohlgeers said Kaiser agreed to send information to families and communicate the rules to students.
The idea drew support from council members during earlier discussions. At an Aug. 31 meeting, council member Nachazel said riders with horns and bells often forget pedestrians have the right of way, especially on Beechwood's narrow sidewalks, according to meeting minutes. Council member Roeding agreed.
Fort Mitchell is not alone. Edgewood City Council had an e-bike regulation ordinance on the agenda for a second reading at its Monday, Oct. 19, meeting at 385 Dudley Road, according to the city's meeting agenda. The outcome of that vote was not available as of publication.
The push for e-bike rules has been building across Kenton County since the summer. At a meeting of the Kenton County Mayors Group in August, Pohlgeers agreed to share Fort Mitchell's ordinance text with other elected officials, WCPO reported. Other mayors at the meeting also raised safety concerns.
Villa Hills Mayor Heather Jansen described the problem at that August meeting, recounting a scene of four kids on e-bikes taking up an entire sidewalk while a runner ended up in a yard.
Villa Hills City Council meets Wednesday, Oct. 21, at 6:30 p.m. at 719 Rogers Road. Fort Wright holds a caucus meeting the same evening at 6 p.m. at 409 Kyles Lane, though its posted agenda lists a recreational properties update and an executive session, with no e-bike item.
