SOUTHINGTON, CT — Southington officials are considering a new local ordinance addressing electric bicycles after residents raised concerns about teens riding e-bikes in traffic, on the trail, and in groups.
Southington Town Councilman Tony Morrison, reporting for the council's ordinance committee during its Sept. 14 meeting, said the committee has spent its last two meetings examining the issue and hearing from residents.
The issue is listed on the Southington Town Council's Sept. 28 agenda. The council meets at 7 p.m. at the John Weichsel Municipal Center.
Earlier this year, the committee reviewed state legislation defining different categories of e-bikes and asked the Southington Police Department to track issues involving the vehicles over the summer, Morrison said.
The committee subsequently heard from residents about problems involving how some e-bikes are being operated, particularly by teenagers.
Morrison said police statistics may not capture the full extent of e-bike-related incidents because some are recorded according to the alleged offense involved rather than specifically categorized as e-bike incidents.
Southington Police Capt. James Armack briefed the committee on incidents and existing enforcement efforts, while Southington Town Attorney Louis Martocchio III discussed the legal issues surrounding potential local regulations, Morrison said.
The committee has not settled on a proposed ordinance.
Instead, members directed Martocchio to develop possible language while officials examine how other Connecticut municipalities are handling e-bikes and continue consulting with police.
Martocchio said any ordinance needs to be practical for officers to enforce.
"We can certainly create some ordinance, but if it turns out to be completely unworkable with the police department, we're back in the same position we are," Martocchio told the council.
Morrison said officials have reviewed ordinances from New London and Guilford as possible models.
He said Guilford's approach includes a $1,000 fine in certain circumstances, while Southington officials have also discussed measures involving impoundment or towing of e-bikes.
The committee is also considering how local regulations could affect responsible riders using the trail, particularly people traveling between municipalities with potentially different rules.
"We had some people who talked about, you know, they're getting on in age, and they use e-bikes on the trail," Morrison said. "They don't want to get, you know, sort of stopped using their e-bikes for no reason."
Morrison said officials are trying to address unsafe behavior without creating a "logistical nightmare" for riders who use e-bikes responsibly.
The ordinance committee planned to continue working on the issue at its Sept. 24 meeting, ahead of the next Southington Town Council meeting Monday, Sept. 28.
Morrison said officials hoped to have a proposal ready for the council, although additional time could be necessary to make sure any ordinance complies with state law and works with existing police enforcement.
Southington Town Council Chairman Paul Chaplinsky urged the committee to put a proposal or working draft on paper so council members and the public can begin debating specific provisions.
"Let's just put something out there and get it up for debate," Chaplinsky said. "It's difficult to talk about it without something in front of you."
Chaplinsky said even if a final ordinance is not ready by the next council meeting, he would like the committee to provide a working document showing the direction officials are considering.
For the minutes of the Sept. 14 Southington Town Council meeting, click on this link.
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