Motorized bikes and scooters spark safety talks

Its not something youd expect to see often a bike speeding past you in town as a motorist. But in Flandreau, (and quite honestly, just about everywhere), its becoming a more common sight as e-bikes and scooters continue to grow in popularity.
Especially among area youth.
The topic was front and center at this past weeks Flandreau city council meeting. City officials have been hearing more from motorists, including reports of near-misses on busy streets and sidewalks.
Sidewalks, by the way, are where bikes are supposed to ride according to city ordinance, other than in the downtown business district.
Its been brought to my attention several times, said Mayor Dan Sutton, who added hes had a number of near misses himself, both in his vehicle and on downtown sidewalks.
Im not here to finalize anything, but I want to start the discussion.
Right now, across town and the county, motorized bikes are largely unregulated. There are no helmet requirements, speed limits, or safety tests in place, even though other communities have started putting minor regulations in place. Both Pipestone and Madison recently enacted some safety measures. In Madison, for instance, any rider under 18 traveling over 20 mph must wear a helmet and eye protection.
Locally, some council members are considering a similar approach, with a suggestion that riders under 18 in Flandreau should be required to wear helmets.
Its about safety, said city administrator Cohl Turnquist, who said hes fielded complaints about kids riding at high speeds and not stopping at stop signs.
While some lean toward helmet requirements for under-18 riders, others emphasize the importance of education rather than overregulation. Education, a few council members felt, needed to happen with both kids and parents.
You cant just turn them loose and expect them to be responsible, said council president Brad Bjerke.
The conversation is just beginning, and no decisions were made during the meeting. But council members say they are starting to lay the groundwork for how to address the growing trend. Suggestions for improving safety included working with the school resource officer (SRO) to engage kids in responsible riding.
In addition to the bikes already cruising throughout town, the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe is looking to likely install and make available to the public the use of e-bikes and scooters through a special grant awarded to the tribe. Watch for updates on that in an upcoming edition of the Moody County Enterprise.
The council plans to continue the discussion at future meetings, with officials seeking public input on potential ordinances. The goal is to strike a balance between safety and freedom, without being too restrictive.
We dont want to create something overreaching, said City Administrator Cohl Turnquist. We just want something on the books to keep kids safe.