Johns Creek approves sidewalk and trail e-bikes; fast models limited to roads

The Johns Creek City Council voted 4-3 on Feb. 9 to adopt a local ordinance allowing Class I and Class II electric bicycles to operate on sidewalks and trails and explicitly prohibiting those e-bikes inside city parks, while limiting higher-speed Class III models to roadways only. Mayor John Bradberry and council members Dilip Tunki, Stacy Skinner and Erin Elwood voted in favor; Bob Erramilli, Chris Coughlin and Larry DiBiase dissented.

Under the ordinance framework adopted as Option 1, Class I e-bikes that assist only when pedaling and cease assisting at 20 mph and Class II on-demand e-bikes that can reach 20 mph without pedaling are permitted on sidewalks and paths/trails but are excluded from operation inside city parks. Class III e-bikes, described in the council discussion as capable of higher speeds, WSB-TV referenced examples reaching about 28 mph when pedaling, must remain on roads within Johns Creek. Prior city policy allowed only Class I e-bikes.

City staff recommended Option 1 in January after months of council work sessions and resident input prompted an ordinance because of rising e-bike use and safety concerns. Staff worked with Johns Creek Police on developing the ordinance and advised the council that allowing all classes onto sidewalks and trails would reduce police regulatory options. Option 2, which would have permitted Classes I, II and III on sidewalks and trails, was rejected partly for that reason.

The council debate included direct concerns about practical use at local parks. Council member Larry DiBiase said, “I don’t think it’s realistic that someone is going to take an e-bike, go from their house, go to Newtown Park and park it outside.” Mayor Bradberry is recorded as having countered that point during the meeting, but no direct quote from Bradberry was provided in the official coverage.

Johns Creek also scheduled community outreach tied to the policy work. The city listed an e-bike and e-scooter safety awareness night at Taylor Road Middle School on a Tuesday evening from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; organizers described the event this way: “this community-wide event is designed for parents, guardians, and students from Taylor Road and surrounding middle and high schools to learn practical strategies for safe e-bike and e-scooter use. Local experts will provide insights on safety, laws, and injury prevention, followed by a Q&A session. A helmet giveaway will also be offered to promote safe riding practices.”

Context for the decision included national sales trends cited in local coverage: Harvard Health Publishing reported U.S. e-bike sales rose from about 250,000 per year in 2018 to more than 1,000,000 per year by 2022. City officials have said they are considering signage for parks, trails and sidewalks, but the ordinance text released at the Feb. 9 meeting did not include an effective date, enforcement procedures, penalties or a list of designated pathways where non-electric bicycles may be restricted. Those implementation details remain outstanding and are available for follow-up with the city clerk and Johns Creek Police.