The Rock Island City Council is hitting the gas on an ordinance that would ban the use of unauthorized motorized vehicles from city streets, sidewalks, trails, and other public rights-of-way.
In a 4-2-1 vote on Monday, the majority of the council agreed the measure was necessary to protect the public.
In an interview with WVIK prior to the council meeting, Alderman Randy Hurt (2nd Ward) said he has heard an uptick in complaints regarding these smaller motorized vehicles. “And so these vehicles are creating a safety concern for pedestrians, motorists, and the neighborhoods. And the ordinance provides local enforcement tools to address the issues,” Hurt said.
“I've witnessed it myself, people riding wheelies down the middle of main thoroughfares, like standing on the seats of their vehicles riding wheelies, ATVs down main thoroughfares. Or there'll be several bikes, mini bikes, doing wheelies, like running abreast across down the lane,” Hurt said. “So it's holding up traffic, and obviously it's creating a safety concern for not only themselves, but for the people that, that are— other people are driving on the road.”
Alderman Glen Evans (1st Ward) and Alderwoman Linda Barnes (3rd Ward) both asked the city attorney, Leslie Day, why this ordinance was needed when the state passed a law regulating electric bikes. Current state law already fines reckless driving.
Day said the ordinance will supplement the recent state law regulating electric bikes and define unauthorized motor vehicles like mini and dirt bikes and ATVs. The measure would allow law enforcement to impound those types of vehicles following the city’s administrative adjudication process.
If passed, the ordinance would include fines of at least $100 and up to $750. The ordinance clarifies that persons seeking the return of the impounded vehicle need to pay all towing, storage and administrative fees as well as show proof of ownership. It would also only release the vehicles to minor’s guardians.
During discussion, Mayor Ashley Harris agreed with the ordinance targeting main thoroughfares but shared concerns the enforcement could impact those seeking thrills away from the public.
“But my question is, to the extent of the enforcement, it's one thing to do dangerous tricks down a main road, but it's another thing to have a little fun in an open field,” Mayor Harris said. Harris noted he is against the use of these vehicles on main city streets but stressed enforcement should not impact those using electric vehicles for transportation.
City Attorney Leslie Day said enforcement will be left up to the discretion of the police department. However, the ordinance will not impact those using such vehicles on private property.
The mayor asked that the police force use discretion with their enforcement.
“If it's safety, if it's reckless, absolutely, absolutely enforce that,” Mayor Harris said. “But if people are just out there making a little noise and having a little fun, I don't see any harm in that. I don't want this to be abused and used in the wrong way.”
“I think that's part of my concern, is the overlegislation,” Evans said. “And so for me, I'm going to be honest, I'm a no.”
Aldermen Evans and Barnes both voted no on the ordinance. Alderman Bill Healy (7th Ward) was not in attendance for the meeting.
The ordinance will face a second reading at its next meeting.
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