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ITEM NO. 10a |
TOWN OF PRESCOTT VALLEY
STAFF REPORT
STAFF REPORT
DATE: 10/08/2026
TO: Mayor & Town Council
THROUGH: Gilbert Davidson, Town Manager
FROM: Traci Lira, Neighborhood Services Director
DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood Services
AGENDA TYPE: Old Business
SUBJECT: Proposed Town Code Provisions Regulating E-Bikes - Consideration & Possible Action (2nd Reading) [Traci Lira, Neighborhood Services Director]
TO: Mayor & Town Council
THROUGH: Gilbert Davidson, Town Manager
FROM: Traci Lira, Neighborhood Services Director
DEPARTMENT: Neighborhood Services
AGENDA TYPE: Old Business
SUBJECT: Proposed Town Code Provisions Regulating E-Bikes - Consideration & Possible Action (2nd Reading) [Traci Lira, Neighborhood Services Director]
| VISION 2024 FOCUS AREA: Quality of Life - Enhancing the health of neighborhoods by promoting well-being for all through safety, infrastructure, housing, connectivity, recreational space, and community engagement. |
SUMMARY/BACKGROUND:
The Town established an E-Bike workgroup to evaluate concerns associated with increased use of e-bikes in Prescott Valley. The workgroup was tasked with reviewing local safety concerns, Arizona law, regulations adopted by other municipalities, community input, and options for moving forward.
Since January 2026, the Town has experienced five reported e-bike-related accidents.
As part of its review, the workgroup conducted a community e-bike survey. The survey identified concerns related to speed, trail etiquette, failure to yield, compliance with traffic controls, and the need to distinguish between different classes of e-bikes. Respondents also identified a need for improved education, signage, and bicycle infrastructure.
The survey indicated significant public support for additional safety measures related to e-bike usage. For example, eighty-eight percent of respondents supported requiring helmets for e-bike riders under age 16. Seventy percent supported a speed limit for e-bikes on shared public paths, sidewalks, and trails.
The workgroup presented its findings and recommendations to the Town Council at a Study Session on September 3, 2026. Following the discussion, Councilmembers expressed support for moving forward with possible adoption of Town Code provisions regulating e-bike usage.
Discussion
The proposed Ordinance No. 2026-985 creates a dedicated section of the Town Code addressing electric bicycles and other wheeled devices with clear regulations for their operation in the Town.
Key provisions of the proposed Ordinance include:
E-Bike Classifications
Where Devices May Operate
Safe Operation
The Ordinance requires riders to:
The Ordinance requires persons under 18 years of age operating bicycles, e-bikes, motorized bicycles, electric scooters, skateboards, and other specified devices to wear a properly fitted and fastened protective helmet. It also sets forth responsibilities for parents or guardians.
Required Equipment
The Ordinance establishes nighttime lighting and rear reflector requirements and requires applicable bicycles and other devices to be equipped with brakes.
Violations and Penalties
Except where otherwise provided, violations of the new Town Code Article constitute a civil traffic offense punishable by a fine of $50 per offense. Reckless operation is separately identified as a Class 2 misdemeanor.
This Action
At a regular meeting on September 24, 2026 the Town Council voted to read Ordinance No. 2026-985 by title only on two separate occasions, then place the same on final passage. The Town Clerk will now read the Ordinance by title only for the second reading, after which the Mayor will ask "Shall this Ordinance Pass?" The Council will then vote on whether to adopt Ordinance No.2026-985 amending Chapter 11 of the Prescott Valley Town Code to establish regulations for bicycles, electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, electric scooters, and other lightweight wheeled devices. If the vote is in favor of passage, the Ordinance would be effective thirty days thereafter.
Since January 2026, the Town has experienced five reported e-bike-related accidents.
As part of its review, the workgroup conducted a community e-bike survey. The survey identified concerns related to speed, trail etiquette, failure to yield, compliance with traffic controls, and the need to distinguish between different classes of e-bikes. Respondents also identified a need for improved education, signage, and bicycle infrastructure.
The survey indicated significant public support for additional safety measures related to e-bike usage. For example, eighty-eight percent of respondents supported requiring helmets for e-bike riders under age 16. Seventy percent supported a speed limit for e-bikes on shared public paths, sidewalks, and trails.
The workgroup presented its findings and recommendations to the Town Council at a Study Session on September 3, 2026. Following the discussion, Councilmembers expressed support for moving forward with possible adoption of Town Code provisions regulating e-bike usage.
Discussion
The proposed Ordinance No. 2026-985 creates a dedicated section of the Town Code addressing electric bicycles and other wheeled devices with clear regulations for their operation in the Town.
Key provisions of the proposed Ordinance include:
E-Bike Classifications
- Defines Class 1, Class 2, and Class 3 electric bicycles.
- Establishes distinctions based on how the electric motor assists the rider and the maximum assisted speed.
Where Devices May Operate
- Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes are permitted on sidewalks, bicycle lanes, roadways, paved multi-use paths, and unpaved/gravel paths (subject to posted restrictions).
- Class 3 e-bikes are permitted in bicycle lanes and roadways but are not permitted on sidewalks or paved or unpaved multi-use paths.
- The Town may prohibit particular devices on selected sidewalks and multi-use paths through posted signage.
Safe Operation
The Ordinance requires riders to:
- Operate at a reasonable and prudent speed and comply with posted speed limits;
- Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and certain other vehicles on sidewalks and multi-use paths;
- Provide an audible signal before overtaking and passing pedestrians; and
- Follow posted trail etiquette requirements.
The Ordinance requires persons under 18 years of age operating bicycles, e-bikes, motorized bicycles, electric scooters, skateboards, and other specified devices to wear a properly fitted and fastened protective helmet. It also sets forth responsibilities for parents or guardians.
Required Equipment
The Ordinance establishes nighttime lighting and rear reflector requirements and requires applicable bicycles and other devices to be equipped with brakes.
Violations and Penalties
Except where otherwise provided, violations of the new Town Code Article constitute a civil traffic offense punishable by a fine of $50 per offense. Reckless operation is separately identified as a Class 2 misdemeanor.
This Action
At a regular meeting on September 24, 2026 the Town Council voted to read Ordinance No. 2026-985 by title only on two separate occasions, then place the same on final passage. The Town Clerk will now read the Ordinance by title only for the second reading, after which the Mayor will ask "Shall this Ordinance Pass?" The Council will then vote on whether to adopt Ordinance No.2026-985 amending Chapter 11 of the Prescott Valley Town Code to establish regulations for bicycles, electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, electric scooters, and other lightweight wheeled devices. If the vote is in favor of passage, the Ordinance would be effective thirty days thereafter.
RECOMMENDED MOTION:
[the Mayor instructs the Town Clerk to read Ordinance No. 2026-985 by title only for the 2nd Reading, then asks “Shall this Ordinance Pass?”] VOTE.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends reading and ultimately adopting Ordinance No. 2026-985 amending Chapter 11 of the Prescott Valley Town Code to establish regulations for bicycles, electric bicycles, motorized bicycles, electric scooters, and other lightweight wheeled devices.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no anticipated direct fiscal impact due to the requested action.