08/13/2026
New Ordinance Pertaining to E-Bikes and Electric Scooters
With the growing popularity of electric bikes and e-scooters, the City felt compelled to acknowledge the benefits of these devices while also recognizing that their improper or unsafe operation may create hazards for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and other users of public property. As a result of this, the City found it necessary to establish reasonable regulations governing the operation of electric bicycles, electric tricycles and electric scooters to promote public safety, protect public property and provide clear standards for operators and law enforcement officers.
This post will try to highlight some of the regulations but will also include a full copy of the approved ordinance for your review. The ordinance encourages use of helmets but does not mandate wearing helmets. The ordinance prohibits the use of e-bikes and electric scooters on any federal or state highway, roadways prohibited by state law, the walking trail at Bicentennial Park, the swimming pool (inside the fenced area) , the splash pad and the walking trail around Clara Barton Hospital. Other areas may be restricted by ordinance or city-issued signage. The ordinance permits operation of these pieces of equipment on roadways with speed limits of 30 mph or less if the operations are done in a safe and responsible way. Individuals can cross highways but they cannot travel along K-4 or US-281. Electric bikes and e-scooters are allowed to operate on sidewalks unless it is specifically prohibited by ordinance or by official signage. Operators of these vehicles are expected to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and should operate at a speed that is reasonable and prudent for existing conditions. Operators should also slow to walking speed when necessary to safely pass pedestrians and provide an audible signal before overtaking a pedestrian. Operators should not operate in a way that obstructs traffic, pedestrians or access to businesses.
Any e-bike or electric scooter operated between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped with a white light visible from the front and a red light or reflector visible from the rear. All operators shall adhere to existing speed limits and traffic laws and should reduce speed as necessary to avoid collisions with pedestrians, vehicles, animals or fixed objects. The ordinance also defines unsafe or reckless operations. Some of the key items enumerated as reckless or unsafe include weaving through pedestrian or vehicular traffic in a manner that creates an unreasonable risk of collision, operating at an unsafe rate of speed, not slowing when approaching/passing pedestrians, failing to yield to pedestrians, carrying passengers unless the device is specifically designed and equipped for more than one rider, operating while distracted, towing another person or vehicle and operating in a manner that creates an unreasonable risk of injury to persons or damage to public or private property. Feel free to reach out to the City office at 620-653-4125 or Chief Bachar at the Hoisington Police Department (620-653-4995) if you have any questions regarding this ordinance.
This ordinance will take effect once it is published in the Hoisington Dispatch. Please help us to and .
With the growing popularity of electric bikes and e-scooters, the City felt compelled to acknowledge the benefits of these devices while also recognizing that their improper or unsafe operation may create hazards for pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists and other users of public property. As a resul...
