New city ordinance allows e-bikes in Mesa parks

The Mesa City Council voted unanimously Jan. 12 to approve updated regulations for electric bikes and scooters, clarifying where the devices can be used, who is eligible to ride them, and how they are classified under city code.

Under the updated ordinance, Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, electric standup scooters, and electric miniature scooters will be permitted to operate within Mesa parks beginning Feb. 11, provided riders do not exceed 5 miles per hour.

City officials said the change is intended to give riders a safer alternative to busy streets while allowing park rangers to monitor usage and ensure the devices are operated responsibly.

Residents and council members raised concerns during the meeting about the safety risks posed by electric bikes and scooters, particularly when operated by minors.

David Winstanley, who lives in Mesa’s District 6, said he has witnessed dangerous behavior involving electric-powered vehicles in southeast Mesa.

“We have a serious problem in southeast Mesa with electric-powered vehicles operated by children who are not observing any reasonable or rational rules,” Winstanley said. “I have twice in recent months had to slam on my brakes along Ray Road to avoid an e-scooter darting out into traffic or just driving across the street.”

Winstanley said he has heard fewer complaints from other parts of the city but warned the issue is escalating.

“If you want to see what it’s like with e-bikes on regular sidewalks, I ask you to go to Eastmark High School at dismissal,” he said. “It is crazy. Somebody is going to get hurt.”

While supporting the ordinance, Winstanley urged council members to continue addressing unresolved enforcement issues.

“I do support this ordinance, but I’m asking you to assign someone to follow up and bring to conclusion these open issues that are not resolved by this legislation,” he said.

District 1 Councilmember Richard Adams echoed concerns about enforcement and rider safety, noting that allowing e-bikes in parks provides a more controlled environment.

“When I was discussing the enforcement aspect, it was pointed out that we do have our park rangers and we can employ them within the park system,” Adams said. “But then we also have the streets.”

Adams warned that without further action to address street riding, the lack of enforcement could result in serious injuries or fatalities.

Adams has personally encountered unsafe riding conditions at the Lehi Crossing area.

“I was just there last night after dark, and a couple of young people on these — I don’t know whether they were e-bikes with pedals or the kind that don’t have pedals — had no lights whatsoever, and I had to swerve to avoid one of them,” he said.

The new ordinance is only a first step and the city must continue addressing minors’ use of electric bikes and scooters, Adams said.

“I think it’s just the start, and I think we need to continue to work on this,” he said. “Where we have unlicensed minors operating these and violating the law, I think we need to take a look at their parents. Somebody’s responsible for the conduct of minors, and it’s typically parents.”

District 5 Councilmember Alicia Goforth said much of the problem stems from riders who are already operating e-bikes illegally due to age restrictions.

Educating residents on what is and is not allowed will be critical moving forward, Goforth argued.

“This is the first step,” Goforth said. “Once we pass the ordinance, it’s going to be about educating. It’s going to be about signage.”

Many residents may be unaware of the new regulations, Goforth added.

“Most people don’t follow the City Council meetings and aren’t going to know that there’s a new ordinance,” she said. “It’s going to be very important for us to educate and do signage.”

Mayor Mark Freeman said the city plans to monitor how the new regulations work in practice and re-visit the matter depending on what happens next.

“We’re talking about parks and our shared use paths,” Freeman said. “What we want to concentrate on is making sure we do the right things and we know that we may have to massage this later on down the road.”

District 2 Councilmember Doreen Taylor said the issue is emerging nationwide and will likely require ongoing adjustments.

“This is such a new issue that Mesa’s having, and it’s not just Mesa,” Taylor said. “There are other municipalities experiencing this as well.”

Taylor encouraged riders to act responsibly and use existing infrastructure.

“I would like to remind the public, you do have bike paths that you can ride your bikes on. That’s why they’re there,” she said. “They were very expensive for us to create for you. So, I would encourage you to ride your e-bikes on our bike paths.”

Because e-bikes will now be allowed on shared paths in Mesa parks, Taylor urged e-bike riders to be careful and respectful of other pedestrians.

“I would also like to encourage the public as we go through with this to remember to be very respectful for the other people that are pedestrians in the parks,” Taylor said. “We have a lot of families in Mesa that are enjoying our parks with children, including strollers, and we have elderly people that are also enjoying those public spaces.”

Taylor warned that misuse of e-bikes in parks could result in stricter regulations, or even future bans of e-bikes throughout the entire city.

“We don’t want bad apples to ruin it for everybody,” she said.

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