09/01/2026
Knoxville City Council recently passed a new Bicycle and Micromobility Ordinance. The attached photo is for quick reference. The following is the body of the ordinance.
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING THE CODE OF ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE, IOWA, BY AMENDING TITLE 5, CHAPTER 1, SECTION 11 – BICYCLE AND MICROMOBILITY REGULATIONS
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF KNOXVILLE, STATE OF IOWA:
SECTION 1: AMENDMENTS. This Ordinance shall rescind and replace all existing language of Title 5, Chapter 1, Section 11 with the following:
A. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Section is to set forth regulations for operating bicycles, electric scooters and other micromobility devices on the city’s streets, sidewalks, and multi-use trails as enabled by Code of Iowa, Section 321.236[10].
B. DEFINITIONS.
1. “Bicycle” means:
a. A device having two or three wheels and having at least one saddle or seat for the use of a rider which is propelled by human power.
b. A low-speed electric bicycle.
c. A device having one or four wheels and having at least one saddle or seat for the use of a rider which is propelled by human power.
(Code of Iowa, Section 321.1[40.c.])
2. “Electric scooter” means a device weighing less than one hundred pounds that is equipped with two or three wheels, handlebars, and an electric motor of less than seven hundred and fifty (750) watts, and which is solely powered by the rider or by an electric motor capable of propelling the device without additional propulsion supplied by the rider, at a maximum speed on a paved level surface of no more than twenty miles per hour, or both.
3. “Low-speed electric bicycle” means a device having a saddle or seat for the use of a rider, two or three wheels, equipped with fully operable pedals, and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty (750) watts that meets the requirements of one of the following classes:
(Code of Iowa, Section 321.1[36.a.])
a. “Class 1 low-speed electric bicycle” means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used to provide assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty miles per hour or more.
b. “Class 2 low-speed electric bicycle” means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle and that is not capable of providing assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty miles per hour or more.
c. “Class 3 low-speed electric bicycle” means a low-speed electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used to provide assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the bicycle reaches a speed of twenty-eight miles per hour or more.
4. “Micromobility device” means a mobility device under one hundred fifty pounds, which may be equipped with an electric motor of less than seven hundred and fifty (750) watts for assistance or sole propulsion, designed for conveying the operator, with speeds of less than twenty miles per hour.
5. “Multi-use trail” means a way or place for the use and travel of bicycles, pedestrians, or other authorized conveyances, the use of which is controlled by the city, designated by the multi-use trail maps, as approved by resolution by the city council, and no multi-use trail shall be considered as a street or highway.
6. “Other Power-Driven Mobility Device (OPDMD)” means any mobility device powered by batteries, fuel, or other engines that is used by individuals with mobility disabilities for the purpose of locomotion, including golf carts, electronic personal assistance mobility devices, or any mobility device designed to operate in areas without defined pedestrian routes, but that is not a wheelchair.
C. SCOPE OF REGULATIONS.
These regulations shall apply whenever a bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device is operated upon any street, park road, any multi-use trail, or sidewalk subject to those exceptions and regulations stated herein.
D. TRAFFIC CODE APPLIES.
1. Every person riding a bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device upon a roadway or in a bicycle lane shall be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to the driver of a vehicle by the laws of the State declaring rules of the road applicable to vehicles or by the Traffic Code of the City applicable to the driver of a vehicle, except as to those provisions that by their nature can have no application.
2. Bicycles, electric scooters, or other micromobility devices are not subject to registration, licensure, titling, inspection, and proof of financial liability coverage provisions of Code of Iowa, Chapter 321.235A.
3. Riders of bicycles, electric scooters, or other micromobility devices are not required to have possession of a driver’s license or permit.
4. Whenever such person dismounts from a bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device, the person shall be subject to all regulations applicable to pedestrians.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.234)
E. MOTOR VEHICLE OPERATIONS.
1. Change Lane to Pass. The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a person riding a bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device, proceeding in the same direction on a roadway shall pass to the left of the rider of the device in an adjacent travel lane or on the opposite side of the roadway and shall not again drive to the right side of the roadway until safely clear of the overtaken rider and device.
2. Lateral Passing Distance. The driver of a motor vehicle overtaking a bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device that is traveling on a paved shoulder shall give at least three feet of lateral passing distance between the outside of the vehicle and the rider and device.
3. Yield to persons in crosswalks. The driver of a motor vehicle shall yield to any pedestrian or person riding a bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device within any marked crosswalk or unmarked crosswalk at an intersection, or any multi-use trail crossing a roadway or driveway.
F. AGE OF USE FOR PUBLIC AREAS.
1. Riders of electric scooters, low speed electric bicycles, and other micromobility devices must be fourteen (14) years of age to operate such devices on city streets. Riders of such devices under fourteen (14) years of age are prohibited from riding on city streets and may only operate on public sidewalks, public trails, or private property.
2. Riders of electric scooters, low speed electric bicycles, and other micromobility devices under fourteen (14) years of age and who are accompanied by a responsible adult may operate such devices on city streets.
G. ACTIONS AGAINST BICYCLES AND MICROMOBILITY DEVICES.
1. A person operating a motor vehicle shall not steer the motor vehicle unreasonably close to or toward a person riding a bicycle, an electric scooter, or other micromobility device on a roadway, including the shoulder adjacent to the roadway.
2. A person shall not knowingly project any object or substance at or against a person riding a bicycle, an electric stand-up scooter, or other micromobility device on a roadway, shoulder of roadway, sidewalk, multi-use trail, or any other location.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.281)
H. RESPONSIBLE RIDING.
1. Double Riding Restricted. A person propelling a bicycle shall not ride other than astride a permanent and regular seat attached thereto. No bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed and equipped.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.234[3, 4, and 5])
2. A low-speed electric bicycle may be operated in any place where a bicycle is allowed to operate, including but not limited to streets, highways, roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes, bikeways, and bicycle or multi-use paths.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.235B[9.a.])
3. Speed. No person shall operate a bicycle, electric scooter or other micromobility device at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions then existing. No person shall operate a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle on a bicycle lane or multi-use trail in excess of the posted or applicable speed limit, or if there is no posted or applicable speed limit, twenty miles per hour.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.235B[9.b.])
4. Control of bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device. The operator shall keep the conveyance under directional, speed, and stopping control at all times.
5. Improper riding. No person shall ride a bicycle, electric scooter or other micromobility device in an irregular or reckless manner so as to disregard the safety of the operator, others, or property.
6. Right of way. Riders of electric scooters, low speed electric bicycles, and other electric micromobility devices shall yield right of way to pedestrians, human-powered bicyclists, and other human-powered conveyances. Riders of bicycles and other human-powered conveyances shall yield right of way to pedestrians.
7. A person under the age of sixteen shall not operate a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle. A person under the age of sixteen may ride as a passenger on a class 3 low-speed electric bicycle.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.235B[6])
8. Hand Signals. Riders of bicycles, electric scooters, or other micromobility devices may, but shall not be required to signal their turning movements and stopping with their hands and arms as follows:
a. Left Turn: Extend your left arm out sideways with all fingers extended or use your index finger to point left.
b. Right Turn: Extend your left arm out sideways bent at a 90-degree angle at the elbow joint, hand pointing upward and the palm of hand facing forward.
c. Alternative Right Turn: Extend your right arm out straight with all fingers extended or use your index finger to point right.
d. Stopping or Slowing: Extend your left arm or right arm sideways and bend your arm at a 90-degree angle at the elbow joint, hand pointing downwards and the palm of your hand facing backwards.
I. PLACE OF RIDING.
1. Bicycles, electric scooters and other micromobility devices may be operated on roadways, bicycle lanes, and paved multi-use trails, subject to the limitations of this Chapter.
2. Bicycles, electric scooters and other micromobility devices, may be operated upon the public sidewalks in a careful and prudent manner except where signs are erected to prohibit riding on the sidewalk or upon sidewalks along the public square where users shall walk their bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device.
3. Other Power-Driven Mobility Devices may be operated by persons with mobility disabilities on all sidewalks provided that they do not risk damage to the sidewalks, surrounding environment, or pose a risk to the safety of other sidewalks users.
4. All bicycles, electric scooters, and other micromobility devices ridden on the roadway shall be operated on the right half of the roadway, except under any of the following situations:
5. When using a facility designed or designated through signage and/or pavement markings for the use of bicycle traffic.
6. When riding alongside or overtaking and passing another bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device proceeding in the same direction.
7. When preparing for a left turn at an intersection or into a private road or driveway.
8. When necessary to avoid conditions that make it unsafe to continue along the right half of the roadway.
9. When traveling straight through an intersection that has a dedicated right turn only lane.
10. This section does not apply to the use of a bicycle, electric scooter or other micromobility devices in a parade or special event authorized by the city.
J. EMERGING FROM ALLEY OR DRIVEWAY.
1. The operator of a bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility devices emerging from an alley, driveway or building shall, upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending across any alleyway, yield the right-of-way to all pedestrians approaching on said sidewalk or sidewalk area, and upon entering the roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on said roadway.
K. TOWING.
1. It is unlawful for any person riding upon any bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device to attach the device or themselves to any moving motor vehicle by tow rope, hand grip or otherwise.
2. It is unlawful for any person riding a bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device to tow any other vehicle or device upon the streets, sidewalks, park roads or multi-use trails of the City unless the vehicle or device is manufactured for such use.
L. EQUIPMENT REQUIREMENTS.
1. Every person riding a bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device shall be responsible for providing and using equipment as provided herein:
2. Every device when in use between sunset to sunrise and when weather conditions provide insufficient lighting to render clearly discernable persons and vehicles on the road at a distance of five hundred (500) feet ahead, shall be equipped with a lamp on the front emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least three hundred (300) feet to the front and with a lamp on the rear exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of three hundred (300) feet to the rear, except that a red reflector on the rear, may be used in lieu of a rear light.
(Code of Iowa, Sec. 321.384 and Sec. 321.397)
3. Equivalent equipment such as headlamps and red-light attachments to the head or back may be used in lieu of a lamp on the front and a red light on the rear of the device.
4. A device shall not be equipped with, and a person shall not use upon such device, any siren or whistle.
(Code of Iowa, Sec 321.434)
M. PARENTAL FAILURE TO SUPERVISE:
1. When the operator of a bicycle, electric scooter, or other micromobility device is under the age of fourteen (14) years and is in violation of any provision of this Chapter, the parent or legal guardian of such operator shall be deemed responsible if such parent or guardian knowingly permits, allows, or fails to exercise reasonable supervision or control over the minor in a manner that results in the violation.
2. In such cases, the parent or guardian may be charged with Failure to Supervise a Minor in violation of this Section.
3. It shall be an affirmative defense to any such charge that the parent or guardian exercised reasonable supervision and control over the minor under the circumstances, or that the violation occurred without the knowledge or consent of the parent or guardian despite reasonable efforts to prevent such conduct. A warning may be issued for a first violation involving a minor under the age of fourteen (14), and subsequent violations may result in a citation being issued to the parent or guardian.
N. VIOLATION AND PENALTY:
1. Any person or responsible party who violates this chapter will be guilty of a municipal infraction and subject to a civil penalty of fifty dollars ($50) for the first offense, one hundred dollars ($100) for the second offense, and one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for the third or subsequent offense.
2. Any person or responsible party who violates this chapter and causes injury to another will be guilty of a municipal infraction and subject to a civil penalty of one hundred fifty dollars ($150) for a first offense, two hundred dollars ($200) for a second offense, and two hundred fifty dollars ($250) for a third or subsequent offense.
3. Contestation: To contest a penalty of this section, the rider or their legal guardian must request a hearing. A hearing shall occur within five (5) business days of the request to contest. The City Manager may appoint a designee to rule on such a hearing.
SECTION 2: REPEALER. All ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provisions of this Ordinance are hereby repealed.
SECTION 4: SEVERABILITY CLAUSE. If any section, provision or part of this ordinance shall be adjudged invalid or unconstitutional such adjudication shall not affect the validity of the ordinance as a whole or any section, provision or part thereof not adjudged invalid or unconstitutional.
