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Charlotte City Council has officially directed the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department to draft a new set of rules governing electric bikes, responding to a surge in resident complaints about safety hazards, mislabeled vehicles, and dangerous riding behavior. The move, announced during a safety committee meeting on Thursday, April 18, 2025, aims to clear up confusion over what legally qualifies as an e-bike and where these machines can operate.
The push comes after months of growing frustration from residents in several Charlotte neighborhoods. They report near-daily encounters with high-speed, pedal-less “e-bikes” that can reach 30 mph or more, often ridden by minors without helmets on sidewalks and greenways. Councilwoman Dante Anderson, who chairs the safety committee, called the situation urgent. “It’s only a matter of time before a young person is seriously injured,” she said. “Many are traveling at high speeds on roadways without any protective gear.”
Police Captain Jeremiah Blow, who oversees uptown patrols, told the committee that most of what people call e-bikes in his district lack pedals entirely. He recounted a recent incident: “Two weekends ago, we got a 12-year-old at 1 a.m. on one of these. We called his parents, and they were like, ‘Well, he’s just on his e-bike.’” According to Blow, the term “e-bike” has become a catch-all for everything from pedal-assist bicycles to small motorcycles, creating widespread enforcement confusion.
The proposed ordinance will define three distinct classes of electric bikes, mirroring the industry standard: Class 1 (pedal-assist, up to 20 mph), Class 2 (throttle-on-demand, up to 20 mph), and Class 3 (pedal-assist, up to 28 mph). Any vehicle exceeding 28 mph or lacking functional pedals would be classified as a moped or motorcycle, requiring registration, insurance, and a driver’s license. The council also plans to ban e-bikes from sidewalks unless the rider is a minor or accompanying a minor, or if the adjacent road’s speed limit is above 25 mph.
Charlotte’s move follows a trend set by neighboring towns Cornelius and Davidson, which passed similar ordinances in December 2024. Those towns require anyone under 18 to wear a helmet while riding an e-bike, mandate brakes and lights, and classify vehicles over 20 mph as mopeds and those over 30 mph as motorcycles. Riders who damage public or private property face fines and potential criminal charges.
Councilwoman Kimberly Owens, whose South Charlotte district sees the most complaints, said e-bike safety is the #1 issue constituents bring up in meetings. She suggested the city collaborate with Mecklenburg County to ensure consistency on greenway rules, since the county maintains those paths. “If the city bans e-bikes on sidewalks but the county allows them on greenways, we’ll have a patchwork that nobody can follow,” she said.
Enforcement remains a sticking point. Councilman Ed Driggs questioned whether police would be able to catch violators. “I don’t see officers chasing after somebody on an e-bike,” Driggs said. “Which is too bad, because I see people that look like children whizzing around on these things.” The committee plans to review the police-drafted proposal within the next 30 days before sending it to the full city council for a vote.
Nationally, e-bike-related injuries have risen sharply. According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, emergency room visits for e-bike injuries jumped 127% between 2020 and 2023, with head injuries being the most common. Safety advocates recommend that cities adopt uniform classification and enforcement standards to reduce confusion and protect riders of all ages.
The Charlotte proposal is expected to include a public comment period before final adoption. Residents can submit feedback through the city’s website or attend upcoming committee meetings.
