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New Rules for E-Bikes and Scooters? Here’s What Matters

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By Jeremy Lewis

You don’t have to imagine it—you’ve probably seen it.

A fast-moving e-moto—a more powerful, motorcycle-like electric vehicle—cutting through a trail or sidewalk, weaving past people walking, kids on bikes, dogs on leashes. The speed difference alone changes everything. What should feel like a shared, low-stress space suddenly feels unpredictable—and, at times, unsafe.

And it’s worth being clear—this isn’t about traditional bikes or even most e-bikes. It’s about a small number of higher-speed devices being used in ways these spaces weren’t designed for.

They are not the same. An e-bike is a bicycle with assistance. An e-moto is a motor vehicle that happens to be electric. Like other motor vehicles, e-motos must be registered and insured, and operators need a driver’s license.

That experience is real. It’s driving complaints—and why communities are starting to look at new rules.

Getting the Response Right

There’s growing interest in creating clearer rules for bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and similar devices. The goal—consistency—is a good one.

There have been some updates to recent proposals. Earlier versions grouped bikes, e-bikes, scooters, and e-motos together—even though e-motos are already classified as motor vehicles under state law. That’s since been corrected, which is a meaningful step.

But the bigger issue hasn’t changed.

The challenge isn’t whether to act—it’s how. Some proposals still cast too wide a net, grouping everything from bikes and e-bikes to people using wheelchairs or pushing strollers. That’s not just confusing—it’s a sign the approach still needs work.

There’s also a question of enforcement. If rules are difficult to understand or unrealistic to enforce, they’re unlikely to change behavior—and may create new challenges instead.

A better path is simpler: focus on clear, observable behaviors like speed and yielding, keep existing legal distinctions intact, and make expectations easy to understand and enforce.

 

A Better Approach in Practice
Not every solution needs to be regulatory. The City of West Des Moines is launching a community-wide education campaign focused on safe e-bike use, and we’re proud to help shape it. Clear expectations and shared understanding go a long way.

We all want safer streets and trails. The opportunity now is to focus on what actually works.