By Dan Spalding
News Now Warsaw

WARSAW — The Warsaw Traffic Commission on Wednesday recommended to the City Council the passage of an e-bike ordinance that would set policy in several ways.

As the popularity of e-bikes continues, some of the new models can travel as fast as 50 mph, said City Planner Justin Taylor.

The proposal was developed by the Ride+Walk Advisory Committee and would limit e-bikes from traveling any faster than 35 mph on streets and 15 miles per hour on trails, according to a story from the Times-Union.

The bicycle industry is seeing robus sales of e-bikes across the country.

E-bikes accounted for approximately 30% of total U.S. bicycle revenue in 2024, generating roughly $1.63 billion, according to Ebikes International.

Taylor said the new policy is needed for safety reasons.

The estimated number of e-bike injuries in the U.S. jumped from 1,600 in 2018 to over 23,000 in 2022, according to the American College of Surgeons 

The proposal would also prohibit e-bikes from traveling on sidewalks in the downtown business district.

Fines would start at $25 for the first offense and $150 for the third offense.

City Council is expected to review the proposal over the next few weeks before voting.

You can watch the discussion from Wednesday's meeting at the beginning of this link provided by the city.

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