MONCKS CORNER, S.C. — As electric bicycles and scooters become increasingly common on streets, trails and neighborhoods across Moncks Corner, town leaders are preparing to consider a new ordinance aimed at improving safety for riders, pedestrians and motorists alike.
The proposed regulations will come before town council for first reading during its Tuesday, June 16 meeting. If approved, the ordinance would establish a comprehensive set of rules governing the operation of electric bicycles, commonly known as e-bikes, and electric scooters within town limits.
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Town officials say the measure is intended to address the growing popularity of the devices while reducing conflicts between riders, pedestrians and drivers.
Sidewalk Ban, Speed Limits Proposed
Under the proposal, e-bike riders would be required to follow the same traffic laws that apply to motor vehicle drivers, including obeying traffic signals and other traffic-control devices.
Among the most significant changes is a prohibition on riding e-bikes on sidewalks anywhere within the Town of Moncks Corner. The restriction would not apply to designated multi-use trails and hiker-biker paths designed to accommodate cyclists.
The ordinance would also establish several rules for e-scooters and similar devices, including a ban on operating them on roads with speed limits greater than 30 mph, except when crossing at a designated crosswalk.
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Riders would be prohibited from operating either type of device in a reckless manner, carrying more passengers than the device is designed to accommodate or causing damage to public or private property.
The proposal would also cap operating speeds at 25 mph and prohibit riders from using mobile devices while in motion. Under the ordinance, operators could not hold a phone, send text messages, read emails, watch videos or engage in other activities that could impair their ability to safely control the device.
New Safety Requirements for Riders
The measure also includes safety equipment requirements. Riders younger than 16 would be required to wear a properly fitted bicycle helmet while operating or riding an e-bike.
Additionally, e-bikes used at night would need to be equipped with a white front light visible from at least 500 feet and a rear red light visible from 50 to 300 feet.
Town officials are also proposing regulations for modified e-bikes. Any electric bicycle exceeding 750 watts, one horsepower or speeds greater than 25 mph would be classified as a moped and become subject to state regulations governing those vehicles.
Enforcement Could Include Device Seizures
One of the more notable enforcement provisions would allow law enforcement officers to seize devices used in violation of the ordinance until a court determines whether the device should be returned or forfeited.
For riders under 18, repeat or serious violations could result in a device being held until it is retrieved by a parent or legal guardian. The ordinance states that repeat violations and failure to pay fines could also lead to temporary confiscation.
Second Reading Scheduled for July
The proposed ordinance comes as communities across South Carolina and the nation grapple with how to regulate the growing use of electric bikes and scooters. Local officials have increasingly expressed concerns about riders traveling at high speeds on sidewalks, in parks and along multi-use pathways shared with pedestrians.
The June 16 vote represents the first step in the adoption process. If approved on first reading, the ordinance would move to a public hearing and second reading currently scheduled for July 21.
The Moncks Corner town council meeting will begin at 6 p.m. on June 16 in council chambers at the Moncks Corner Municipal Complex, located at 118 Carolina Ave.
