Fort Mitchell could soon require e-bike riders to get off and walk near Beechwood schools during the busiest parts of the school day.
Fort Mitchell heard the first reading of further regulations on electric bicycles on city sidewalks during certain hours of the week at Monday night’s meeting.
The new regulations include implementing a “walk your wheels” component, which will require riders to walk their e-bikes within the school zone on Beechwood Road 45 minutes before school begins and 45 minutes after dismissal.
Fort Mitchell Mayor Greg Pohlgeers said this new measure aims to further strengthen pedestrian safety along major roadways in the city and that he is willing to make additional amendments to the ordinance to add proper safeguards.
“My approach as long as I’m mayor with this is that if I have an idea or you all (counsel) have an idea, bring it to me, and I’d be certainly happy with it,” said Pohlgeers.
Pohlgeers also said he is coordinating with Justin Kaiser, superintendent of Beechwood Independent Schools, who supports the new measure.
“He had mentioned that, assuming this passes, he’d be happy to send out information to families and communicate it to kids,” said Mayor Pohlgeers.
Council began discussing the possibility of authorizing e-bike regulations in July and has since passed key measures to the original ordinance. These most recently include the complete ban of class three e-bikes, which are capable of reaching speeds up to 28 miles per hour, and e-motos, capable of reaching speeds up to 60 miles per hour, on all city sidewalks.
The next meeting is scheduled for Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m.