As new electric mobility devices appear on Iowa streets, sidewalks and trails, communities are facing a growing challenge: How do we address legitimate safety concerns without unintentionally restricting traditional bicycles and legal e-bikes?
This summer, that question came before many Iowa communities & most recently the Urbandale City Council.
The Iowa Bicycle Coalition and Street Collective engaged directly with city leaders as Urbandale considered a new ordinance addressing e-bikes, e-motos and other emerging mobility devices. We brought cycling policy expertise, Iowa Code considerations and the recently developed Model Ordinance for Bicycles and Pedestrian Conveyances to the conversation.
The result was a stronger ordinance and an example of what can happen when communities bring the right partners to the table.
Through conversations with council members and city staff, IBC and Street Collective helped clarify important distinctions between traditional bicycles and Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes and higher powered devices that fall outside those classifications. We advocated for preserving the rights of people riding bicycles while helping the city address the devices creating new safety concerns.
Urbandale Is Not Alone
Communities across Iowa are wrestling with many of the same questions.
IBC is now actively working with dozens of communities across the state, providing the model ordinance, answering policy questions and helping local leaders navigate emerging mobility issues. That is exactly the role we want to play.
Cities should not have to tackle a rapidly changing mobility landscape alone, and riders should not encounter significantly different rules every time they cross a city boundary or enter another trail system.
Our model ordinance provides communities with a consistent framework that aligns with Iowa Code where applicable, addresses gaps involving emerging devices and protects access for traditional bicycles and legal Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes.
From Local Action to a Statewide Solution
What we are hearing from communities also reinforces the need for the next step. A patchwork of local ordinances is not the long term solution.
As part of IBC’s 2027 legislative strategy, we plan to take this work to the Iowa Statehouse and advocate for a clear, consistent statewide approach to emerging mobility devices.
Our goal is to improve safety, provide clearer guidance for communities and law enforcement, protect the rights of people riding bicycles and legal e-bikes, and give Iowans greater consistency as they travel between communities.
The work happening in Urbandale and in communities across Iowa is helping inform that effort.
Is your community discussing e-bikes, e-motos or other emerging mobility devices? Bring IBC into the conversation.
We can provide the model ordinance, review proposed language, answer questions and help connect your community with resources and expertise.
Contact the Iowa Bicycle Coalition
iowabicyclecoalition.org
515-309-2867
bikeinfo@iowabicyclecoalition.org
Better policy starts with collaboration. Together, we can create safer communities today while building a more consistent approach for all of Iowa tomorrow.
