Overland Park has formally approved a new ordinance that will permanently allow e-mobility devices, like e-bikes and electric scooters, on its city trails.
The Overland Park City Council on Monday unanimously approved the new ordinance and repealed an existing one that prohibited such motorized devices and vehicles on trails.
The amendment was part of the consent agenda, which means the city council considered the change alongside a series of other procedural items and didn’t individually discuss it.
Overland Park’s new trail rules explained:
- The new rules permit personal e-scooters and most e-bikes, including some that have a motor that is throttle assisted.
- The devices are restricted to traveling no faster than 20 mph. That speed limit is posted on the trails.
- Other motor vehicles, particularly those powered by fuel, are restricted, unless the director of parks and recreation expressly authorizes an exception.
Pilot program allowed e-devices on Overland Park trails
- The newly-adopted ordinance formalizes two pilot programs that permitted e-bikes and e-scooters on hiking and biking trails in Overland Park’s system.
- The first pilot started in 2020, allowing some e-bikes on Overland Park trails.
- About a year and a half later, the city expanded the pilot, including more types of e-bikes and scooters.
- The last pilot expired at the end of November.
Overland Park residents split over e-bike pilot
- Mike Burton, park project coordinator for Overland Park, previously told the Overland Park City Council Community Development Committee that the e-device pilots were met with some mixed reviews.
- However, he said the feedback tilted toward the positive.
- Many of the positive comments, Burton said, were from senior Overland Park residents who were able to get out and enjoy the trails with their own mobility devices.
More Overland Park e-scooter and e-bike news: Overland Park weighs new scooter pilot after Bird’s abrupt departure
