July 6th 2026 |
Photo – Bigfoot 99 File Photo
Rawlins officials are working to establish regulations on electric bicycles.
During the June 16th Rawlins City Council meeting, City Attorney Pinita Maberry‑Nave said her office has received calls from residents asking about the legality of electric bicycles, commonly known as e‑bikes.
Attorney Maberry‑Nave said the increasing popularity of e‑bikes has contributed to a nationwide increase in rider deaths and serious injuries. While no deaths have occurred in Rawlins, she said the city is seeing a growing number of e‑bike‑related injuries.
As a result of those incidents, Maberry‑Nave said many state and local governments have begun adopting regulations on e‑bike use. She said residents have asked if Rawlins planned to implement similar restrictions. The city attorney noted that in 2022, the governing body created ordinances regulating electric scooters in anticipation of scooter‑share services such as Lime and Bird launching in the city. However, those companies never expanded into Rawlins.
Attorney Maberry‑Nave said the city’s existing ordinances are unclear regarding the regulation of electric bicycles. She said while the city defines an e‑bike as a motor vehicle, the state removed them from that classification eight years ago.
As a result, she said e‑bikes can no longer be legally classified as motorcycles by the city.
Attorney Maberry‑Nave said the Wyoming Legislature left the oversight of electric bicycles to individual municipalities. For that reason, she is working with the Rawlins Police Department to ensure safe e‑bike use within city limits. The city attorney said she is reviewing recommendations from the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, along with other towns’ regulations, to determine what will work for Rawlins, including potential age restrictions and helmet requirements.
In addition, Maberry‑Nave said other municipalities have ordinances requiring e‑bike riders to follow all traffic laws. Because most violations involve minors, she said many towns fine parents, with penalties increasing based on the number of offenses.
Attorney Maberry‑Nave said the purpose of any potential e‑bike regulations is to give riders, parents, and law enforcement clear rules while promoting public safety and reducing risk in the community. With that goal in mind, she said she will bring amended ordinances to the City Council for future consideration.
