‘That’s an accident waiting to happen’: E-bikes taking over Lincoln trails

LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – As electric bikes and scooters gain popularity, Lincoln city officials are tasked with keeping bike trails safe.

The Lincoln City Council will vote on new safety regulations on June 3.

Bob Dzerk has been riding an e-bike for four years, and it’s now his main method of transportation.

But he says some people are getting too wild on the trails.

“I don’t think people are being as careful as they could be,” Dzerk said. “It’s as if they assume nothing bad is going to happen.”

One biker, Glenn Dallmann, said he witnessed a close call as a family was biking on a trail Monday morning.

“There was a mom with three little kids; they were struggling to figure out which way they were going,” Dallmann said. “An older gentleman on an electric bike blew through there without ever stopping. I mean, slowing down at the very least. It could have been really bad for the kid and for the gentleman on his bike.”

Of course, there are benefits to electric bikes, skateboards and scooters.

Many elderly people use them as a way to get around town or get some good exercise.

One biker, David Bristow, said the trails aren’t as much of a concern to him.

“My bigger concern is when I’m downtown, or especially on the UNL campus, and we have people on those motorized scooters or motorized skateboards and they’re weaving in and out of pedestrian traffic very quickly,” Bristow said. “I think that’s an accident waiting to happen.”

There’s a 25-mile-per-hour speed limit on the city trails.

But officials are thinking of adding more regulations.

The proposal in front of the city council will vote on banning various electric transportation devices like mopeds and gas-powered bikes on trails.

E-bikes aren’t included in the ban, but many people seem to think this is a step toward more regulations.

Dzerk hopes e-bikes won’t be targeted.

“I like the laws as they are now,” he said. “I don’t think we need anything.”

And Dallmann agrees.  He thinks teaching people about the proper courtesy would work.

“Whether it’s signs on the trail or whatever about sharing, about slowing down when you’re passing, announcing yourself,” he said. “If the electric bikers would do the same, I think it should be shared by all.”