Columbia Falls is looking to place significant restrictions on electric motorcycles, bicycles and other motorized vehicles on its bike paths and sidewalks after a teen collided with a car earlier this year while driving down a sidewalk on U.S. 2 at more than 30 mph.

City Council last week went through a first reading of ordinances pertaining to bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters and electric motorcycles on sidewalks, multi-use pathways and parks.

First and perhaps foremost, the new law states “a bicycle, as defined in (state law), a moped, motorized scooter, skateboard, or any other wheeled device, whether electrically or motor assisted or not, may be operated or ridden on and along a public sidewalk, public path, or within a public park only under human propulsion and may not be operated on or along such sidewalks, paths, or within such parks if the bicycle, scooter, skateboard or other wheeled device is under a power from an independent power source.”

E-bikes, with pedals, are allowed if there is evidence of the rider actually pedaling them.

In addition, the law requires that anyone under the age of 18 wear a helmet when operating a bicycle or any electrically assisted scooter, electrically assisted cycle, motorcycle, or moped on a public roadway, sidewalk, or public path. 

Also, the above-mentioned devices must obey the posted speed limit, regardless of whether it’s electrically powered or not. Some electric motorcycles can go as fast as 90 mph.

The law comes with penalties. The first violation may result in a $50 fine, a mandatory and applicable course of education, and, if the person is younger than 18 years of age, parental notification. A second violation is a $100 fine and the aforementioned parental notification and the third violation a $175 fine, impoundment of vehicle upon which the violation occurred for a period not less than 60 days or more than 90 days, and community service.

Council was expected to hold a public hearing on the new law at its Dec. 1 meeting. Councilmembers raised no objections to the law and it passed easily during the first reading.

In the collision involving a teen earlier this year, the driver of the motorcycle was doing at least 30 mph on the sidewalk when the wreck occurred. The motorcyclist was transported to the hospital by Three River Ambulance for treatment. He was partially embedded into the car after going through the windshield. Fortunately, he was wearing a helmet.

Police Chief Chad Stephens said this was the cyclist’s second incident.