E-bike regulations roll into the discussion at meeting

Published 1:30 pm Friday, November 14, 2025

For nearly two hours on Nov. 12, e-bikes were on the minds of members of Mercer Island’s Parks and Recreation Commission and Open Space Conservancy Trust.

During the special joint study session at the Mercer Island Community and Event Center, the attendees tackled a host of submitted questions and discussed whether e-bikes should be allowed in city parks and on trails.

According to city documents, “The City has received complaints of e-bikes and e-scooters operating in the skate park, racing around the sidewalks at Mercerdale Park, and impacting reservations groups at the South Mercer Playfields and at Island Crest Park.”

Several community members also sat in on the meeting and two Islanders voiced their opinions during the appearances portion regarding the perils of the e-bike situation.

Debi Gerstel noted, in part, that clear and consistent rules, visible signage, education and enforcement are crucial.

“Without that signage, cyclists feel like they have the license to ride wherever they want,” she said. “People, and also dogs, are in danger because kids on e-bikes are zipping through places they shouldn’t be and or at speeds they shouldn’t.” Gerstel added that she and her dog were almost hit twice by e-bikers in a local park and on a trail.

Norma Bergquist added, in part: “I’ve seen a few kids obeying the rules of the road, but most of the kids — even when asked to slow down or be careful — have done nothing but speed up and hurl swear words.” The Islander said she doesn’t want to worry about getting mowed down by an e-biker and is concerned that someone might get hurt.

On the enforcement front, city documents note that Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD) officers will try to track down youth riders when it’s feasible, and officers will call parents/guardians to pick up youths and their vehicles if the situation warrants that action. The city encourages Islanders to call 911 if they witness unsafe and illegal behaviors involving those vehicles.

Operators can currently ride their Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes — which have a maximum speed of 20 mph — “anywhere traditional bikes are permitted — including mixed-use trails, bike lanes, and roads — unless otherwise noted,” according to the city.

People can currently operate their Class 3 e-bikes — which have a maximum speed of 28 mph and minimum rider age of 16 — “on roads and paved trails that allow motorized vehicles but are not allowed on soft surface trails,” said the city, adding that these e-bikes are also prohibited on sidewalks and on shared-use paths.

E-bikers cannot ride their vehicles in the Bike Skills Area, in Pioneer Park, or anywhere where posted signs prohibit motorized vehicles, according to a city document.

“It feels like a big part is educating everybody in the community about the rules,” said Jodi McCarthy of the commission.

Mercer Island Management Analyst Amelia Tjaden noted that MIPD held an assembly in coordination with the Mercer Island School District last April for middle school students about e-bike and bike safety. Middle school students also received a mailer that explained the rules.

Carol Lynn Berseth, vice chair of the trust, said that this is a complex issue and they need to focus on simplicity when defining the rules and educating people of usage in parks and on trails and walkways.

When asked if Class 3 e-bikes should be prohibited on parks and trails, some members raised their hands. When asked if Class 1 and 2 e-bikes should be prohibited from parks and trails — and to establish exemptions — six members voted yes and three voted no.

Other comments from commission and trust members at the meeting were whether the e-bike or speed is the issue, should e-bikes be prohibited except on designated paths, and should all e-bikes be prohibited in parks and on trails for safety reasons and potential environmental damage.

Using feedback from this meeting, staff will develop a policy statement for e-bike regulations. They will finalize the statement at another joint meeting with the commission and trust, and then present an ordinance to city council for consideration.

For more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/mrcy9363