Let's start with this: We are trying to solve a behavior and safety problem, not a bicycle problem.

We fully recognize the issue. Law enforcement is getting the calls. Communities are hearing complaints. Technology is evolving faster than state law.

But traditional bicycles, legal e-bikes, e-motos, and high-powered mobility devices are not the same thing and should not be regulated the same way.

Over the past few months, communities like Ankeny, Waukee, Clive, Urbandale, West Des Moines, Marion, Iowa City, Coralville, Dubuque and may more, have begun proposing local ordinances to address these concerns. We appreciate the effort and agree that action is needed.

However, Iowa risks creating a patchwork of local rules that will become increasingly difficult for residents, visitors, law enforcement, and bicycle tourists to understand.

At BIKEIOWA, we believe Iowa needs a statewide framework built around education, clear definitions, and consistent guidance.

One simple analogy:

I can receive a reckless driving citation while driving my 2005 Honda Civic (160hp) or my 2026 Dodge Hellcat (710hp). Those are vastly different vehicles, but it's the driver's behavior that matters.

The same principle applies here.

Let's focus on unsafe operation, excessive speeds, and reckless behavior - not broadly restricting bicycles to solve a problem created by a small subset of high-powered devices.

Iowa has an opportunity to get this right before every community is forced to solve the same problem independently.

Same Rules. Different Devices. Same Responsibility.

Whether you're riding a bicycle, legal e-bike, e-moto, or any other mobility device, safe and responsible operation matters most.

Iowa Needs Consistency Before a Patchwork of Local Ordinances Takes Over

Communities across Iowa are wrestling with a rapidly evolving challenge: how do we safely integrate e-bikes, e-motos, e-scooters, OneWheels, and other emerging mobility devices into our roads, trails, and neighborhoods?

The answer is becoming increasingly clear.

We are trying to solve a behavior and safety problem - not a bicycle problem.

Traditional bicycles, legal e-bikes, and high-powered devices are not the same thing and should not be regulated the same way.

Over the past several months, communities such as Waukee and Ankeny have begun exploring local ordinances to address growing concerns. We appreciate the work being done and recognize that city leaders, law enforcement, and residents are responding to very real issues.

The problem is real.

But if every Iowa community creates its own definitions, speed limits, and regulations, we risk creating a confusing patchwork of rules that will be difficult for residents, visitors, law enforcement, and bicycle tourists to understand and follow.

It's About Behavior, Not the Device

Back to the Honda Civic and Dodge Hellcat analogy -Those are vastly different vehicles, but the law addresses the driver's behavior.

The same principle should apply here.

We should focus on:

• Unsafe operation
• Excessive speeds
• Reckless riding
• Riding in inappropriate locations
• Lack of education and awareness

The goal should not be to broadly restrict bicycles in order to solve a problem created by a small subset of high-powered devices.

Iowa Law Today

Iowa already has clear definitions for several categories.

Traditional Bicycle

• Considered a vehicle
• Allowed on public roads
• No license, registration, or insurance required

Legal E-Bikes (Class 1, 2 & 3)

• Defined under Iowa law
• Maximum 750-watt motor
• Class 1 & 2: 20 mph assist
• Class 3: 28 mph pedal assist
• No license, registration, or insurance required

Motorized Bicycles (Mopeds)

• Up to 39 mph
• License required
• Registration required
• Insurance required

Motorcycles

• Over 39 mph
• License required
• Registration required
• Insurance required

The challenge lies with a growing category of devices that Iowa law doesn't clearly address.

Examples include:

• OneWheels
• Electric skateboards
• High-powered e-scooters
• DIY electric builds
• E-motos marketed and sold as "e-bikes"

These devices are often at the center of today's safety concerns.

E-Motos (High-Powered Electric Motorcycles)

This is the category creating the most confusion today.

Many devices are marketed and sold as "e-bikes," but exceed Iowa's legal e-bike definitions and should not be treated as bicycles.

Examples include:

• Sur-Ron
• Talaria
• E Ride Pro
• Rawrr
• Similar high-performance electric motorcycles

These devices often:

• Exceed the 750-watt e-bike limit
• Can travel well beyond 20-28 mph
• May have foot pegs instead of functional pedals

The challenge is that some e-motos may qualify as a motorized bicycle (moped) or motorcycle under Iowa law, while others have no clear pathway for licensing, registration, or insurance.

This is one of the biggest gaps Iowa needs to address.

Remember: Just because it's marketed, sold, or looks like an "e-bike" does not mean it is legally an e-bike in Iowa.

If it exceeds Iowa's Class 1, 2, or 3 e-bike definitions, it's no longer an e-bike - it's something else that needs to be clearly classified.

Iowa Needs Statewide Consistency

Recently, both Washington and Illinois adopted statewide frameworks rather than leaving individual cities to solve these issues independently.

Both states:

• Preserved the existing 3-class e-bike system
• Created clearer definitions for high-powered devices
• Focused heavily on education
• Reduced the need for municipalities to create their own rules

Iowa should consider a similar approach.

Four Categories Iowa Should Clearly Define

1. Traditional Bicycle

No changes needed.

2. Legal E-Bikes (Class 1-3)

Maintain existing definitions and access rights.

3. E-Motos

Clearly define:

• Speed thresholds
• Equipment requirements
• Licensing requirements
• Registration requirements
• Insurance requirements

4. High-Speed Personal Transportation Devices

Examples:

• OneWheels
• Electric skateboards
• High-powered e-scooters

Clearly establish:

• Where they may operate
• Whether they may use the public right-of-way
• Whether registration or licensing is required
• Whether they should be limited to private property
  
  

Age Restrictions

Age Restrictions: Iowa Should Establish Clear, Consistent Guidelines

Age restrictions vary significantly by device type today, creating confusion for families, riders, and communities.

Iowa should consider establishing clear statewide age guidelines for all electric mobility devices.

At a minimum:

• Parents should verify the age recommendations before purchasing a device.
• Higher-powered devices should have age restrictions consistent with their speed and capabilities.
• Riders should receive age-appropriate safety education and helmet recommendations.

Parents and caregivers should remember:Just because a device is marketed to young riders does not mean it is appropriate, safe, or legal to operate on public roads or trails.

Violations & Consequences

Focus on Behavior, Education & Accountability

Enforcement should focus on unsafe behavior, not simply the type of device being used.

Examples include:

• Excessive speed
• Reckless operation
• Riding in prohibited areas
• Failing to yield to pedestrians
• Riding without required licensing or registration (where applicable)

Consequences may include:

• Warnings and education
• Citations and fines
• Impoundment of illegally operated vehicles
• Additional penalties for repeat violations

For minors, parents or legal guardians may also share responsibility when unsafe or illegal operation occurs.

The goal is not to discourage riding - it's to encourage safe, responsible, and predictable behavior for everyone sharing Iowa's roads and trails.

A Statewide Educational Campaign Is Needed

BIKEIOWA supports a statewide education campaign led by the Iowa DOT.

Iowa has successfully done this before.

Examples include:

• Click It or Ticket
• Buzzed Driving is Drunk Driving
• ATV/UTV Safety Campaigns

The same approach could be applied here.

Topics could include:

• E-bike classifications
• E-motos
• Trail etiquette
• Safe speeds
• Proper trail usage
• Right-of-way rules

Why This Matters

Without statewide guidance:

• Every city creates different definitions.
• Every city creates different rules.
• Enforcement becomes inconsistent.
• Visitors unknowingly violate local ordinances.
• Bicycle tourism suffers.
• 
  

TheIowa DOT IS working on a campaign so stay tuned!

Iowa Bicycle Tourism: Don't Create Confusion for Visitors

Iowa is one of the premier bicycle tourism destinations in the country. Every year, hundreds of thousands of riders travel from across Iowa, the Midwest, and around the world to experience our roads, trails, gravel routes, and communities.

Many riders are unfamiliar with local ordinances and reasonably expect the rules to be consistent from one community to the next.

If every city adopts its own definitions, speed limits, and operating rules, we risk creating unnecessary confusion for:

• Visitors and tourists
• Event participants
• RAGBRAI riders
• Recreational cyclists
• Families exploring local trails
• Law enforcement

A rider could legally travel through one community, unknowingly cross a city boundary, and suddenly be subject to a completely different set of rules.

That is difficult to communicate, difficult to enforce, and ultimately creates uncertainty for everyone.

Iowa's strength has always been consistency.

Just as Iowa's road rules are consistent statewide, education and guidance surrounding e-bikes, e-motos, and emerging mobility devices should be consistent as well.

Statewide education and statewide definitions will make Iowa safer, easier to understand, and more welcoming for residents and visitors alike.

One Final Thought

Bicycles are not the problem.

The challenge is a rapidly evolving category of high-powered devices that Iowa law has not yet fully addressed.

As we move forward, the focus should be on behavior, safety, and etiquette - not broadly restricting bicycles/devices.

Safe and predictable behavior matters, regardless of what you're riding.

That means:

• Ride at safe and appropriate speeds.
• Respect other trail and roadway users.
• Yield appropriately.
• Follow posted regulations.
• Understand where your device is legally allowed to operate.

Let's create statewide definitions, statewide education, and statewide consistency before every Iowa community is forced to solve this problem independently.

Because in the end, we're trying to solve a behavior and safety problem - not a bicycle problem.

RIDE. STAY. PLAY.