E-bikes are zipping through Auburn’s streets — and local police are asking city lawmakers for help in keeping up.
Police Chief Matthew Androsko told Inside Government host Guy Cosentino this week that the department has requested local legislation to help regulate the growing number of electric bicycles, citing concerns about safety and enforcement challenges.
“They’re hard to stop — they dart into alleys and side streets,” Androsko said. “And trying to pursue someone on an e-bike with a patrol car just isn’t safe.”
While some state Vehicle and Traffic Law (VTL) provisions apply to e-bikes, enforcement is difficult due to classification issues and speed variations. The department wants clearer local rules, and Androsko expects the City Council to take it up within six to eight months.
In the meantime, the department is preparing to launch its own e-bike patrol unit — likely with two or three bikes for use downtown and in city parks.
“We’ve been getting more complaints in those areas, and we think this is a way to improve visibility and response,” the chief said.
The program would be seasonal, running spring through fall. Officers would volunteer for the detail, and the bikes — estimated at around $5,000 each — could be funded through equitable sharing or other budget lines.
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