The City of Manitowoc is looking into ways to increase penalties for people riding bicycles recklessly.
Mayor Justin Nickels said on WOMT’s Be My Guest Program that e-bikes, or electric bikes, have become very popular but can be very dangerous as well.
Right now, there are not many laws regulating e-bikes, but Nickels is looking to see if that can be changed.
The mayor explained that now, “I have our city attorney looking into what we can do legally at a local level to increase the fines for basically speeding on a bicycle, whether it’s motorized or not.”
While some laws are in place, the city could increase fines.
It would also allow the police department to catch people speeding, like in downtown areas where you are not allowed to ride a bike on the sidewalk.
“But, if we make a conscious effort knowing that these are a new fad and that people are cruising, and we up the fine for basically speeding with these e-bikes,” he noted. “Again, we have to look and see what state law allows us to do, what we can and cannot do.”
The city could be passing an ordinance in the near future to increase fines for e-bike speeders.
According to the Wisconsin DMV, electric bicycles can only assist at up to 20 miles per hour when operated by a throttle or up to 28 miles per hour when assisting a pedaling rider.
E-bikes are also allowed on public paths, trails, and bicycle lanes.
