FAIRMONT – Matching a statewide trend, E-Bikes and E-Scooters are becoming more and more prevalent on Fairmont’s streets and sidewalks, getting kids more active but causing safety concerns.

Fairmont Police Chief Mike Beletti said there has been a pretty dramatic increase in E-Bike and E-Scooter usage in the last year, and the conduct of some has not gone unnoticed.

“We have received some complaints of the youth riding around, sometimes in an unsafe manner, in which officers will attempt to make contact and educate our youth on the proper riding habits,” he said.

There are three classes of E-Bikes, of which each can reach a certain speed before its power assistance is cut off. Pedal-assisted that can reach up to 20 miles per hour, throttle-assisted that can reach up to 20 miles per hour and pedal-assisted that can go up to 28 miles per hour.

According to state statute, these bikes can go anywhere normal bicycles are allowed, but cannot be operated by anyone under the age of 15. E-Scooters can go up to 15 miles per hour, and cannot be ridden by anyone under 12.

While there is a requirement for E-Scooter riders under the age of 18 to use a helmet, currently there is no requirement for anyone to wear a helmet on an E-Bike. Beletti said a majority of this increased usage is from youth riders.

“We’re seeing a lot of our youth riding these that have never been taught the rules of the road,” he said. “A lot of these requirements are that you follow the same traffic rules with some exceptions, like the stop signs versus fully stopping that a vehicle must do. I think it’s important that parents and guardians of youth that are operating E-Bikes and foot scooters in Fairmont are educating their youth and riding in a safe manner.”

These rules include E-Bikes not being allowed on the downtown sidewalks, and E-Scooters not being allowed on sidewalks in Fairmont at all. However, there have been multiple reports of these pedestrian vehicles on the downtown sidewalks, even at unsafe speeds.

Overall, Beletti said it is important adults and parents know what is being bought and how to safely use them.

“I know they’re probably excited when they make a purchase, and they want to just get out and ride,” he said. “They need to know their capability as well. It’s a motorized device, electric motor, that people may not be used to. It’s going to take some safety training and practice to understand what the capabilities are for not only the bike itself, but the rider.”

On the flip side, as long as the rules are being followed and people are being safe, Beletti stressed that it is good to see more people outside and being active.

“As a police department and community, we’re not against the use of these E-Bikes,” he said. “We encourage anybody getting out of the house and getting outdoors to complete activities outside. That’s great. That’s a healthy habit to get into, rather than being cooped up indoors. I think there has been a lot of good that’s come out of E-Bikes and motorized foot scooters getting people outdoors.”

On multiple levels, changes are being considered to current ordinances and laws surrounding E-Bikes and E-Scooters. At next Monday’s City Council meeting, there will be a discussion item on potential ordinance changes to regulate E-Bikes.

“State law does allow for local municipalities to put some more guidelines than state law,” Beletti said. “Some cities in Minnesota have jumped on board and changed their bicycle ordinance to reflect more restrictions.”

At the same time, the state could soon have more guidelines as well. There are multiple bills under consideration with changes to safety regulations, including amending the state definition for E-Bikes, requiring helmets for riders under 18, and registration for E-Bike owners and licenses for sellers.

State Representative and Transportation Committee Member Bjorn Olson said these amended definitions would provide a better understanding of where an E-Bike begins and a motorcycle begins.

“It provides guidance on which bikes can be on sidewalks and which are to be on roads,” he said. “It came as a result of a Minnesotan who was walking on the sidewalk and got seriously injured when they were hit.”

Legislation has not been voted on, as it is currently being worked on and discussed in committees. For more information on these bills, visit revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2026/0/HF/3785/ and https://www.revisor.mn.gov/bills/94/2025/0/SF/3236/.