(Estherville)– On a split vote, the Estherville City Council Monday evening approved the 1st reading of a proposed ordinance that would establish a 10 mph speed limit for E-bikes and scooters on sidewalks outside of the city’s downtown business district, where they are prohibited altogether. Councilman Roy Gage is a proponent of the proposal…
Gage added another major concern is that a pedestrian could be severely injured in the event an E-scooter or bike would run into them.
Fellow council member David Hovenga differed, saying the 10 mph limit is too low for sidewalks in residential areas and described the proposed ordinance as governmental over-reach…
Directing his comments to Police Chief Brent Shatto, councilman Steve Stanislav questioned how the ordinance would be enforced…
Hovenga then made a motion to reject the proposed 10 mph ordinance. It was voted down with three council members in favor of rejecting it while four were against.
Gage then made motion in favor of the 10 mph limit. It passed with four voting in favor and three against. Another motion by Gage to waive the second and third readings failed to gain a super majority needed for passage, meaning it will need to come back for additional considerations before any adoption would occur.
The proposed ordinance would NOT pertain to the city’s trails system.
