Mount Pleasant considers amending their e-bike ordinance

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) –The town of Mount Pleasant is considering updating its e-bike ordinance, amid safety concerns in some neighborhoods.

South Carolina state law says if an electric vehicle goes above 20 mph you have to be 15 or older to ride it.

“We have people from 90 to 9 months who live here. The initial issue became one first of noise, then of safety,” said Margaret Popper, a Mount Pleasant resident. “It’s just too congested too many people get disturbed and hopefully we can find a better solution.

Mount Pleasant Police report 79 bike incidents in the last 5 months. Town leaders are considering updating their town ordinance on e-bikes: by stricter sidewalks guidelines, enforcing the speed limit of 10 mph for juveniles and expanding their ability to hold juveniles accountable.

“We see young people that are going over 20 mph which makes it a moped and they’re under the age to operate those, so we’re looking at getting better enforcement of that and what the state penalties are for that,” said Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie.

Some residents at the Mount Pleasant committee meeting spoke out about how helpful their e-bikes have been for their kids, insisting that their kids act responsibly on them.

Mayor Will Haynie says those using the bikes properly won’t be penalized,

“We’re talking about the ones that are driving over 20 mph, we’re talking about the ones on the sidewalk doing 20-30 mph when the law says if you’re a juvenile and you’re on a pedal assisted e-bike, you can be there, you can get to school or practice, but you can’t go over 10 mph,” said Haynie.

Some solutions Mount Pleasant leaders are considering are requiring e-bikes to be registered. They are also looking at adopting part of a state ordinance that says e-bike violations by minors could lead to a longer wait for a driver’s license.

Leaders added discussion on amending the e-bike ordinance to the next town council agenda.