Fairhope City Council is considering a new ordinance that would impose tighter regulations on electric mobility vehicles within city limits, such as e-bikes and electric scooters.

The ordinance would amend Chapter 20, Traffic, Article I of the Fairhope Code of Ordinances to make it unlawful "for any person to operate a bicycle or regulated mobility device in an unsafe manner on any street, road, highway, sidewalk, bike path, bike lane, trail, park or upon any private property which is held open to the public for pedestrian travel." The ordinance specifically names electric riding devices such as electric bicycles, or e-bikes, electrically motorized boards and motorized scooters.

If approved, riders could be fined for violations such as speeding, riding against traffic, failing to yield or operating a device in an unsafe manner. Police would also be authorized to confiscate devices used dangerously. The ordinance would also require riders under the age of 18 to wear a helmet. First-time violations would start at $250, with fines as high as $500 for additional offenses.

The ordinance would exclude wheelchairs or other power-driven mobility devices used by people with disabilities, as defined by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).

The proposed ordinance is in response to reports of reckless behavior from certain individuals who ride these vehicles, with city leaders and officials wanting to improve safety for riders and pedestrians.

Fairhope Police Chief Stephanie Hollinghead told city council about reported incidents of juveniles popping wheelies up and down Section Street as well as receiving complaints of e-bikes running people off sidewalks. She said these individuals are pulling out in front of vehicles and not paying attention, also adding that a local 14-year-old was involved in an accident with a vehicle while riding an e-bike.

"This ordinance will allow us to impose fines and penalties through our court system, and it will allow us to impound the bike (and) bring it to the station, which allows us an opportunity to not only talk to the kid but talk to the parents and educate them as well," Hollinghead said.

The Fairhope Police Department has previously urged parents on social media to advise their children on e-bike safety. They noted under Alabama law, electric bikes are treated the same as regular bicycles, meaning that riders must follow the same traffic rules.

City council decided to put the ordinance on layover until the next meeting, which will be on Thursday, April 23. Despite not yet voting, they did express their concerns over the reported reckless behavior created by these riders, with Councilman Jimmy Conyers saying they are not trying to take away the fun; they just want to protect people.

"I think it's very important that we have this ordinance," Councilwoman Andrea Faust Booth said. "We got to calm everything down. It's been wild seeing the kids riding around on these e-bikes on one tire. Somebody is going to get hurt. Somebody just did get hurt. We said earlier a young man ran into a car and his helmet flew off and he had to go to the Thomas Hospital. He complained of neck pain. This is not a joking matter. This is serious."