A 7-year-old girl whose leg was broken when she was hit May 23 by an electric bicycle on a Second Avenue South sidewalk has prompted the city to consider imposing regulations.

According Friday to Deputy Chief of Police James Ballauer, the e-bike driven by a 16-year-old was a uni-sex adult electric bicycle equipped with a 40-volt industry standard battery. Its 750-watt motor operates with the maximum amount of power allowed for en e-bike by federal law.

“There are actually three classes of e-bikes, and now there’s e-scooters,” Councilman Gregg Obren said at the Tuesday, June 9, City Council committee of the whole meeting. “Things are moving fast with technology.”

The three classes distinguish an e-bike’s maximum assisted speed, whether the motor is engaged by pedal or throttle, and where it by law is allowed to be ridden.

Iowa law sets the minimum age at 16 allowed to operate an e-scooter — available on the riverfront for rent — or a class 3 e-bike. The third class of e-bikes is the fastest, with motor-assisted pedaling up to 28 mph.

Class 3 e-bikes, under the Code, require a speedometer and are subject to provisions pertaining to any bicycle, as are e-scooters. The operator of an e-scooter or class 3 e-bike need not possess a license or permit.

Beyond Iowa law, municipal ordinances may impose additional restrictions.

“I think it’s something we just need to look at,” Major John Davis of the Clinton Police Department said. “They should follow the rules of the road.”