Ankeny, Waukee and other cities in the Des Moines metro are moving toward stricter regulation of electric bicycles and similar devices amid concerns about safety.
The electric motors of e-bikes and other devices like e-scooters and e-motorcycles give riders an extra boost, particularly when they need to get over a steep hill. But as the devices' popularity continues to grow, so too does the number of related injuries, including from falls and collisions with vehicles - exacerbated by the devices' increased speed and weight over traditional bicycles.
In Ankeny, the City Council is close to an ordinance that would limit e-bike speed to 20 mph on bicycle lanes, paths and sidewalks. Officials there declined to talk more about the proposal, saying details could change ahead of a third reading going before council April 20.