Unanimous votes add new restrictions on bicycles, electric bikes and other motorized devices in city recreational areas
Strong-Thompson, Lane lead effort to address bicycle, e-bike concerns
MANDEVILLE — The City Council unanimously approved two ordinances Thursday aimed at restricting bicycles, electric bicycles and other motorized vehicles in portions of the city’s recreational facilities, with council members describing the measures as a first step toward addressing broader concerns about the growing use of high-speed e-bikes throughout the city.
The council voted 5-0 to adopt Ordinance 26-22, which prohibits electric bicycles and other motorized vehicles in Neighborwoods Park, including scooters, mopeds, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and golf carts. Ordinance 26-22 does not prohibit traditional bicycles in Neighborwoods. The council also approved Ordinance 26-23, which adds all bicycles — both electric and traditional — to the existing list of prohibited activities, such as skating and rollerblading, within the Mandeville Trailhead facility. Both measures were approved without amendment following a joint discussion.
The ordinances were among several high-profile measures that advanced to final adoption after being introduced last month. The changes generally prohibit bicycles, electric bicycles and other motorized recreational vehicles in areas intended primarily for pedestrians and traditional bicycle use, while also clarifying that mobility devices used by individuals with disabilities remain permitted.
District III Councilwoman Jill Lane, sponsor of Ordinance 26-23, said the issue was originally brought to her attention by the Mande Milkshakers, a local dance team that regularly rehearses beneath the Mandeville Trailhead pavilion.
Lane said members of the group complained that teens riding bicycles through the area were creating dangerous conditions and disrupting practices. She said the city later encountered enforcement difficulties when officials attempted to cite one rider, only to have a parent argue that no posted signs prohibited the activity.
“Everybody’s up in arms about this, including myself,” Lane said. “It’s very frightening. I think everyone’s main concern is that we’re gonna have some unnecessary tragedy with all of this.”
The Trailhead ordinance applies only to the city-owned Trailhead facility, including the pavilion, splash pad, amphitheater and surrounding event areas. It does not apply to the St. Tammany Trace, the parish-operated hike-and-bike trail that passes through the property and remains governed by its own separate rules and regulations. The ordinance also does not prohibit residents from riding to the Trailhead on the Trace and parking their bicycles in designated bicycle racks before entering the facility.
District I Councilwoman Cynthia Strong-Thompson, who sponsored Ordinance 26-22, described the Neighborwoods measure as a “stopgap” response while broader discussions continue regarding state regulation of electric bicycles.
Strong-Thompson noted that Louisiana currently recognizes three classes of electric bicycles but does not impose some restrictions found in other states, such as minimum age requirements or other regulations for higher-speed models.
Under Louisiana law, Class 1 e-bikes provide pedal assistance only and stop assisting at 20 mph. Class 2 e-bikes can be propelled by a throttle without pedaling but are also limited to 20 mph. Class 3 e-bikes provide pedal assistance up to 28 mph and are generally intended for higher-speed commuting and recreational riding.
Adding further confusion to the issue is the growing popularity of electric-powered two-wheel vehicles that many residents refer to as “e-bikes” but which do not fit within Louisiana’s three-class e-bike system. Often marketed under names such as electric mini-motorcycles or e-motos, some models lack functional pedals, exceed the 750-watt power limit that defines an e-bike, and are capable of speeds exceeding 40 mph. Depending on their specifications, such vehicles may be classified differently under state law than traditional electric bicycles.
Some of the juveniles who have drawn complaints in Mandeville have been observed riding these higher-powered electric mini-motorcycles that are not covered under the traditional Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 e-bikes, complicating efforts to regulate and enforce their use.
Strong-Thompson said the ordinance is intended to preserve Neighborwoods Park as a pedestrian-oriented nature area and to protect amenities such as the park’s elevated boardwalk. In addition to e-bikes, the ordinance addresses electric scooters, mopeds, motorcycles, all-terrain vehicles and golf carts.
During discussion, Lane noted that her Trailhead ordinance leaves in place prohibited behavior such as climbing on railings and restricts the use of rollerblades, roller skates and skateboards within the Trailhead facility. She emphasized that the Trailhead is not intended to function as a skate park.
Although both ordinances passed unanimously, council members indicated the measures are likely only the beginning of a larger policy conversation.
Councilman-at-Large Jason Zuckerman said he has received numerous complaints from residents regarding both traditional bicycles and e-bikes and expressed concern about high-speed electric bicycles operating on city streets and other public areas:
“They go flying, these e-bikes go flying 30, 40 miles an hour down the Trace. They’re also on the city streets,” he said.
Zuckerman questioned why city regulations currently require golf carts to carry registration, insurance and inspections while some electric bicycles capable of speeds exceeding 30 mph are not subject to similar requirements.
“If we’re gonna require licensed drivers, registration, and insurance on a golf cart that goes 17 miles an hour, I don’t know why we wouldn’t require the same for e-bikes that do 30 miles an hour, like motorcycles,” Zuckerman said.
Notably, Louisiana’s three recognized classes of electric bicycles are limited to vehicles providing motor assistance up to 28 mph, meaning some of the faster electric-powered vehicles cited by residents and council members likely fall outside the state’s e-bike framework.
What Zuckerman described also appears to be electric mini-motorcycles rather than traditional e-bikes, a distinction that may become increasingly important as the city explores additional regulations.
Resident Paul Branch also addressed the council during public comment, citing concerns about e-bike activity near Neighborhoods Park and describing incidents involving riders cutting through private property and allegedly harassing residents. Branch urged the city to eventually strengthen enforcement provisions and penalties.
Strong-Thompson said additional proposals may be considered in the future but urged the council to move forward with the current ordinances as an initial step.
“This is the start,” she said. “Let’s get this underway, and we’ll work on some of the other issues.”
The council subsequently adopted Ordinance 26-22 and Ordinance 26-23 by separate 5-0 roll-call votes.
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