Steve Jenkins, identified in the meeting as the police chief, told the Parks & Recreation Commission on Dec. 4 that the city is seeing both legitimate electric bicycles and faster, modified vehicles that function as electric motorcycles and pose a safety risk.

“ If it goes 50 miles an hour, that’s not a bicycle,” Jenkins said, urging the commission and public to treat high-speed, throttle-driven machines differently from pedal-assist e-bikes. He outlined the commonly used classification: Class 1 (pedal assist, up to 20 mph), Class 2 (pedal assist with throttle, up to 20 mph) and Class 3 (up to 28 mph and typically restricted to riders 16 and older). Jenkins said machines that exceed those speeds “should be licensed, insured” and treated like motorcycles if they are to be ridden on public roadways.

Jenkins told commissioners the department has taken 11 e-bike or electric-motorcycle–related calls for service inside the city since Sept. 1, mostly traffic complaints and several incidents on sidewalks. He described an incident earlier the same day in which a rider on a high-speed electric motorcycle ran over a dog on a trail and left the scene; police have opened a hit-and-run investigation.

On enforcement strategy, Jenkins said the department will pursue education first: officers will contact parents when a youth is stopped, explain the legal limits and leave a notice rather than issuing a citation on first contact. He added that repeat violations will bring citations, towing and potential misdemeanor charges for enabling a minor to operate an illegal vehicle. “We’re heavy on education at first until I feel like everyone kinda knows the rules now, and then we’ll start getting into enforcement,” Jenkins said.

Commissioners and attendees raised questions about which classes are permitted on the new bike path in front of Nordoff High School and asked for clearer signage. Jenkins said Class 1 and 2 are permitted on most bike lanes and bike paths, while Class 3 is allowed on roads and bike lanes but prohibited on bike paths in the county guidance he cited; he committed to follow up with staff about the specific stretch near Nordoff.

Several commissioners and members of the public asked the department for outreach materials that could be handed out at schools and bike shops. Jenkins said video or photos from residents are the most helpful evidence for identifying dangerous riders; he discouraged vague descriptions such as “an all-black bike with a full-face helmet” and asked citizens to document incidents when possible.

Commissioner discussion after the presentation emphasized signage, parent education through schools, and agendizing a full public presentation so residents could ask questions directly. The commission agreed to consider a future meeting item on e-bike safety and enforcement.