Des Moines Weighs Ban on High-Speed E-Scooters from Sidewalks
DES MOINES, Iowa — The Des Moines City Council in Polk County, Iowa, continued discussing a proposed ordinance on November 9 that would ban electric scooters, unicycles, hoverboards and e-skateboards capable of more than 20 mph from sidewalks, trails and streets. The council first took up the draft at an October 19 work session.
Under the proposal, low-speed devices — no more than 20 mph and motors no larger than 750 watts — could still be used on public roads and trails. The city says high-speed devices are not regulated by the state and cannot be registered for the road, and that riding them on sidewalks endangers pedestrians. City transportation planner Jeff Wiggins said emergency-room visits from e-device crashes in Des Moines grew 1,000% between 2022 and 2025.
Suburbs including Windsor Heights, West Des Moines and Ankeny have adopted similar rules this year. Mayor Connie Boesen said a regulation is needed soon for public safety; the council has not set a date for a vote.
Source: Des Moines Register
Published by GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 街头的共享电动滑板车（资料图）。（TaurusEmerald 摄，经 Wikimedia Commons）
