Milwaukee County officials are considering a 15mph speed limit for e-bikes and other electric rides on the Oak Leaf Trail and designated bicycle paths in county parks.
The proposal is due to be examined by the Milwaukee County Committee on Parks and Culture on Tuesday, 29 September. If members recommend the measure, it will proceed to the full County Board of Supervisors for a vote.
Milwaukee County e-bike speed limit proposal
The proposed limit would apply only where signs are displayed, with parks allowed to impose lower limits in areas where cyclists, pedestrians and other trail users are more likely to come into conflict.
County officials say the measure is intended to address the differing speeds of people using the trails, as well as the growing presence of electric bikes, scooters and so-called e-motos.
Some e-motos resemble e-bikes but can travel considerably faster and may not meet Wisconsin’s legal definition of an electric bicycle. A separate amendment would examine whether Milwaukee County has the authority to create specific penalties for illegal e-moto use, including possible responsibility for parents when minors breach the rules.
The Oak Leaf Trail stretches for more than 135 miles across Milwaukee County. County parks guidance currently tells electric-bike and scooter users to keep below 20mph, ride single file and avoid blocking the right of way.
Under the proposed ordinance, enforcement would be linked to posted signs rather than applying automatically across every section of the trail. The committee’s decision will determine whether the proposal advances to consideration by the wider county board.
