LAS VEGAS, Nev. (FOX5) – New rules are in motion to redefine the way electric vehicles can be used in the Las Vegas Valley, and not everyone is on board.
Tuesday morning, Clark County’s proposed e-bike and e-scooter ordinance was officially introduced.
The ordinance defines electric bikes and electric scooters, which were not previously defined in county code. It also clarifies the definition of a motorcycle.
Commissioner Justin Jones says creating and modifying those definitions allows them to create rules about how they’re used.
For example, e-bikes or e-scooters operating in county parks cannot exceed 15 MPH. Jones says, if an electric vehicle is permitted on the roadway, they can operate at the speed posted.
As written, the ordinance also bans the use of faster e-bikes, Class Two and Class Three, at county parks. It also bans stunts, wheelies, and other dangerous behaviors or electric vehicles at parks all together.
It’s how the proposed ordinance could affect e-bike usage at county parks that prompted e-bike rider James Zachman to voice his concerns to County Commissioners Tuesday morning.
Since December, Zachman has been riding his Class Two e-bike to save on gas and get his cardio in.
He’s safe while doing it, too, which is why he’s frustrated that a group of riders could ruin the ride for the rest of them.
“The kids on the electric bikes, that’s really what we think is the problem, kids acting like maniacs,” Zachman said.
As currently written, Zachman says his Class Two e-bike would be banned from county parks.
“Which means I would have to ride in the road, and if you saw on the way up there, that’s a pretty narrow road,” he explained, referencing the road on the way to Sunrise Trailhead.
Zachman was the only person who showed up to speak about the proposed ordinance Tuesday morning, but his comments are not falling on deaf ears.
“I definitely don’t want to be in a situation where we’re inadvertently discouraging people from using their bikes,” Jones said, who introduced the proposed ordinance.
Jones says he’ll take Zachman’s concerns into consideration, potentially making changes to the ordinance before its public hearing on the first Tuesday of May.
“We’ll take a look at whether we can still allow for those Class Two and Class Three E-bikes in our parks and trails, but just limit their speed,” Jones said.
Zachman says overall, he’s in favor of the ordinance. He plans to ride his E-bike to next month’s public hearing, and is excited to hear what changes are in store.
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