For purposes of this article:
(a) Electric Scooter means a device having at least two wheels in contact with the ground, equipped with handlebars, a braking system, and an electric motor, and designed to be stood upon while in operation.
(b) Electric bicycle or tricycle means a bicycle equipped with fully operative pedals for human propulsion, a saddle, and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty (750) watts, meeting one of the three classifications of electric bicycle or tricycles, and not constituting a motor vehicle.
(c) Operator means any person who rides or is in actual physical control of an electric bicycle or tricycle/ electric scooter.
(Ord. 2026-3245)
(a) Electric bicycle or tricycle/electric scooters shall be subject to all rights and duties applicable to bicycles under Kansas law section 128 Standard Traffic Ordinance, except as otherwise provided herein.
(b) Nothing in this article shall supersede more restrictive provisions adopted by a local municipality where authorized by law.
(Ord. 2026-3245)
(a) An operator may operate an electric bicycle or tricycle/electric scooter upon any roadway with a posted speed limit of thirty (30) miles per hour or less.
(b) Electric bicycle or tricycle/electric scooters may be operated within bicycle lanes and upon designated bicycle paths unless otherwise prohibited.
(c) The provisions of these sections shall not prohibit an electric bicycle or tricycle/ electric scooter from crossing a federal or state highway or a public street or road with a posted speed limit greater than 30 miles per hour.
(Ord. 2026-3245)
No person shall operate an electric bicycle or tricycle/electric scooter upon:
(a) Any interstate highway;
(b) Any federal highway;
(c) Any state highway;
(d) Any roadway or area where such operation is prohibited by local ordinance.
(Ord. 2026-3245)
(a) Operation of electric bicycle or tricycles/electric scooters upon sidewalks shall be permitted only in parks, residential areas, and along state and federal highways, except as otherwise stated in this article.
(b) Operation of electric bicycle or tricycles/electric scooters is prohibited within pedestrian-dense areas, including:
(1) Upon sidewalks within Broadway Plaza.
(2) Within the Concordia Sports Complex during events and when school is in session.
(c) Within the Downtown Business District, operation upon sidewalks shall only be permitted when:
(1) The operator rides on the portion of the sidewalk nearest the curb, and
(2) The electric bicycle or tricycle/electric scooter is operated at a speed not exceeding seven (7) miles per hour, and
(3) The operator yields the right-of-way to all pedestrians at all times.
Operators must dismount the electric bicycle or tricycle/electric scooter and walk them through these areas.
(Ord. 2026-3245)
(a) Helmet Use. Any operator under eighteen (18) years of age shall wear a properly fitted and fastened protective helmet meeting applicable safety standards.
(b) Lighting. Any electric bicycle or tricycle/electric scooter operated between sunset and sunrise shall be equipped with:
(1) A white light visible from the front; and
(2) A red light or reflector visible from the rear.
(c) Brakes. Every electric bicycle or tricycle/electric scooter shall be equipped with a functional braking system capable of stopping the device under normal operating conditions.
(Ord. 2026-3245)
(a) Operators shall comply with all posted speed limits and any lower limits established by local authority.
(b) No operator shall operate an electric bicycle or tricycle/ electric scooter at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions.
(Ord. 2026-3245)
Operators of electric bicycle or tricycle/electric scooters shall:
(a) Comply with all applicable traffic laws and regulations;
(b) Yield the right-of-way to pedestrians when required by law;
(c) Exercise due care to avoid colliding with pedestrians, bicyclists, motor vehicles, or other lawful users of public ways; and
(d) Maintain control of the electric bicycle or tricycle/electric scooter at all times.
(Ord. 2026-3245)
Nothing in this article shall preclude municipalities from adopting additional regulations, including but not limited to:
(a) Prohibiting operation in specified areas;
(b) Imposing additional safety requirements;
(c) Regulating sidewalk use;
(d) Establishing designated parking or operating zones; and
(e) Regulating shared-use electric bicycle or tricycle/electric scooter programs.
(Ord. 2026-3245)
A violation of this article shall be deemed an ordinance traffic infraction. Upon entry of a plea of guilty or no contest or upon being convicted of such violation, the penalty imposed shall be a fine of not more than $250.00.
(Ord. 2026-3245)