Auburn City Council members are weighing whether more local oversight is needed as the use of electric bicycles and scooters grows across the city.
During their Sept. 18 meeting, Councilor Ginny Kent raised the issue after hearing from residents about safety risks. She said she has observed riders who appear to be under 16 operating e-bikes without helmets, lights, or reflectors. On Auburn’s steep streets, Kent warned, those conditions could become dangerous not only for riders but also for pedestrians and motorists.
Other councilors agreed the city is seeing more of the battery-powered vehicles and noted that Auburn currently defaults to state regulations, which they described as limited. Councilor Terry Cuddy said community members are worried about riders moving at higher speeds without proper visibility. He suggested Auburn look at how other municipalities are responding to the same trend.
Councilor Christina Calarco added that “street legal” requirements already exist for bicycles repaired in shops, where reflectors and lights must be in place before a bike can be returned to its owner. She questioned whether similar standards could be enforced for e-bikes through the police department.
City Manager Christina Selvek said the concerns would be taken to Auburn Police Chief James Slayton Androsko for further discussion. Council members emphasized that the conversation is about safety and not limiting new forms of transportation.
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