Mount Pleasant leaders to discuss E-bike regulations

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) – Mount Pleasant town leaders will discuss Monday setting additional regulations for E-bikes.

Restrictions on E-bikes were first discussed in August 2023, and an ordinance was passed a month later in September. It included prohibiting people from riding E-bikes in the town’s commercial areas, in parks and landscaped areas, and keeping the speed “reasonable and prudent” for conditions.

However, Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie wrote on Facebook that E-bikes were still a “dangerous situation.”

“It is clear from everyone’s observations that very young people on fast, motorized vehicles is a dangerous situation and growing more so. In my opinion, having these young people operating at these high speeds on motorized vehicles is going to result in tragedy,” he said in the post.

Haynie is calling for state law reform and noted that municipalities are limited by the state in how they regulate these types of motorized vehicles. “State law currently only recognizes certain types as even being motorized vehicles. That needs to change,” he added.

Haynie said everything within municipal powers will be considered, including stricter penalties and requiring registration.

Town officials will discuss potential regulations during the town’s Police, Judicial & Legal Committee of Town Council on Monday morning.