By Gary Mays

gmays@themonroetimes.com

MONROE — The city council is coasting in to the emerging issue of whether to regulate e-bikes, a popular new kind of bicycle that uses a battery and electric motor to do some or all the work of pedaling.

Police Chief Fred Kelley described their operation on city streets as “juicier than normal bikes, but still a bicycle,” as opposed to a motorcycle or scooter.

“Regulation-wise, it’s still a bicycle,” he said, adding that the city could consider registering them for local use but may not need too. “My belief is that they are already regulated. I don’t see us having to really do anything else.”

And that, Kelley told the Monroe Common Council’s Public Safety Committee at a recent meeting, is in keeping with Monroe’s relatively hands-off approach to policing bicycles generally as they ply the streets of the city. However, he said there was some concerns among the public and council members about the speeds that can be obtained using today’s high-tech e-bikes. 

In response, he said, all bikes must stay within a 25-mph speed limit in town, whether they are assisted by a motor or not. They may be able to reach 30 to 35 mph going downhill for brief periods. 

For the most powerful type of e-bike, he said, the rider must be 16 — although they do not have to be licensed drivers in Wisconsin.

There are three different classes of e-bikes:

●  Class 1: Bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycles reach 20 mph. 

●  Class 2: Bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the bicycle, and that is not capable of aiding when the bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

●  Class 3: Bicycle equipped with a motor that provide assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches 28 mph.

“We don’t have a lot of complaints as of yet…but again it’s newer technology and I think you probably see these more in the urban areas than our rural areas but it is something that has really taken off,” Kelley said.

The bikes are too popular for consideration of an outright ban, Kelley said, if that is what officials are interested in. Moreover, he said, the police department recently purchased a pair of its own e-bikes, and will be leasing two more of them for use during Cheese Days 2024 next weekend. They also can be purchased from a couple local vendors in town and are allowed for use on the many local bike trails, he said. 

“From the perspective of the police department, we have had no complaints at all until an Alderman brought it,” to his attention, said Kelley, adding that while helmets are not required on any bicycle they are highly recommended.

Jessica Gudeman, a Monroe resident who lives on 21st Street, spoke out in favor of e-bike use. She said she first started using them a few years after a knee injury and wanted to get more exercise to help her recovery. But she quickly discovered how Monroe has a lot of steep hills and even some of the big bike trails have a steady incline, which led to her staying off her bike. 

Then she discovered the world of e-bikes. And now her e-bike has over 1,700 miles on it.

“I wouldn’t be where I am now if it weren’t for my e-bike,” she said.