Nicholasville police begin drafting e-bike and e-scooter ordinance after residents raise safety concerns

Nicholasville police say they are working on a proposed ordinance to regulate the use of e-bikes and e-scooters in response to safety concerns raised by residents. In a report published Tuesday, the department said it has heard from the public about unsafe riding practices and is taking steps toward turning those concerns into enforceable rules at the city level.

The department’s statement points to a pattern of concern involving both children and adults using battery-powered personal mobility devices. Police did not outline specific incidents in the report, but said community members have questioned whether current local practices are adequate to prevent crashes and reduce risks to pedestrians and drivers.

According to the report, police are drafting the ordinance as a formal policy response, rather than handling the issue only through informal reminders or case-by-case enforcement. The department framed the effort as part of its broader public-safety responsibilities, emphasizing that the devices are being used in ways that residents believe can create hazards in neighborhoods and along public streets.

Nicholasville’s next steps, as described in the report, involve moving from the initial feedback phase toward a proposed ordinance that can go through the city’s standard review process. The report does not name a specific timeline for when the measure will be introduced, considered, or voted on.

As Nicholasville officials shape the draft, the ordinance would likely address how and where residents can operate e-bikes and e-scooters, and how police can respond when riders violate common-sense safety expectations. Such rules are often used to clarify basic requirements, including where riding is permitted, how riders should behave around foot traffic, and what enforcement authority exists for violations.

Because the report focuses on the start of the drafting process, details such as the specific restrictions, penalties, or exemptions for age, device type, or licensing were not provided in the coverage. Residents who want to influence the final terms may be looking to public meetings or city procedures once the draft is formally released.

If approved, a local ordinance would give Nicholasville police clearer guidance for enforcement and create a uniform standard for residents and visitors using these devices. The change would also affect families, particularly households with children who ride e-bikes or e-scooters, since rules governing permissible use typically determine what is allowed at home, on sidewalks, and on public roads.