Buckeye officials are asking the community to weigh in on how they should regulate e-bikes as they consider new laws in response to increasing accidents and complaints.
The city is considering creating helmet requirements for all e-bike riders younger than 16 years old and banning some e-bikes from sidewalks and parks.
The proposed ordinance comes as e-bikes have grown in popularity, and several cities in the Valley have passed ordinances in response to rising e-bike injuries and crashes.
As of July 31, there were 38 bicycle-related crashes in Buckeye in 2026, according to Buckeye Police Department data. The data included traditional and electric bicycles.
The number of crashes will likely double this year, Buckeye Police Department Chief Robert
Sanders said during an Aug. 6 community meeting.
Buckeye saw 37 bicycle-related crashes in 2025 and 32 in 2024.
Buckeye officials proposed the ordinance on May 19, but they tabled it to allow for additional input from the community and local businesses.
The owner of Thrive Swim & Ride, Patrick "Billy" Gillooly, told the council that he was not allowed to weigh in on the initial drafting of the ordinance. The council tabled the ordinance in response.
Buckeye Police Department held a community meeting about the proposed ordinance on Aug. 6.
The purpose of the ordinance was not to overregulate or hand out citations, Sanders said during the community meeting and at the May 19 council meeting.
"We're here to protect our kids and we're here to educate parents about what they're buying," Sanders said on Aug. 6. "We don't want to overregulate but we'll over-educate."
Buckeye Police will hold two more meetings on Aug. 11 and Aug. 17. The Aug. 11 meeting will be held at The Landing on 945 N. 215 Ave. in Suite 137 and the Aug. 17 meeting will be held in the Festival Fire Station Community Room at 27360 W. Wagner Complex Drive.
How is Buckeye proposing to regulate e-bikes?
At the Aug. 6 meeting, Sanders explained the three different classes of e-bikes and the guidelines set for them in the proposed ordinance:
- Class 1 e-bikes are bikes that have a motor to assist the rider's pedaling. The bikes' top speed is 20 mph.
- Class 2 e-bikes can travel up to 20 mph on a motor alone.
- Class 3 e-bikes have a motor that assists the rider's pedaling and can travel up to 28 mph.
- People younger than 16 would require parental supervision if they wish to ride a Class 1, 2 or 3 e-bike.
- The potential ordinance also seeks to create a helmet requirement for all e-bike riders, electric motorcycle, and electric scooter riders under 18 years old.
- Class 3 e-bikes would not be allowed on sidewalks or in parks under the potential ordinance, according to the presentation. The bikes would be allowed on the roads.
- Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes would be allowed on sidewalks, roads, and parks.
What do residents think about e-bikes in Buckeye?
The Aug. 6 community meeting saw several residents chime in with different ideas, ranging from mandatory classes to making parks dedicated to e-bike riders.
Gillooly said he agrees there must be regulations to stop the "bad actors" on e-bikes disturbing the community, but he does not want to see the e-bikes themselves become "villainized."
Children in Buckeye, especially those in the more remote areas of Buckeye, "really rely" on e-bikes to get around the community, Gillooly said.
"These e-bikes are how they get to their friends' houses. They're how they all get all over the place. I just really hate to see us regulate things to 16 years old and take this away from all of these younger kids who are not really being a problem. They just need a little bit more education," Gillooly said.
Another resident, Melissa Hamilton, offered the idea of creating a mandatory class for juvenile riders that parents are required to sign off on as proof of attendance.
She also joined Gillooly's son in the idea of creating or rezoning an unused public space for e-bike riders exclusively.
Mary C. Williams said the residents were "not mad at the kids" nor the bikes because "the bikes aren't the problem."
"It's the kids who aren't properly trained. It's parents who don't pay attention," Williams said.
David Ulloa Jr covers the Southwest Valley communities of Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Gila Bend. Reach him at david.ulloa@usatodayco.com. Follow him on Instagram & X, formerly Twitter, @davidulloa_ii.
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This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: As Buckeye grapples with e-bike safety, new restrictions could come
