Speed concerns, underage riders spark e-bike discussion in Eden Prairie

A sharp rise in electric bike use – and a surge in concern over underage riders and trail safety – prompted a wide-ranging discussion at Eden Prairie’s May 20 City Council workshop.

Led by Police Chief Matt Sackett and Parks Director Amy Markle, the presentation explored e-bike classifications, enforcement challenges, and next steps for education and signage. While Eden Prairie follows Minnesota state law on electric-assisted bicycles, officials said the growing popularity and range of motorized devices is creating new public safety concerns.

“We were here a few months ago giving background on the different types of e-bikes, how they’re rated and classified,” City Manager Rick Getschow said. “It’s complicated. We’re seeing more of these bikes in the community, and we’re getting questions about what’s allowed and what isn’t.”

Mayor Ron Case shared a recent experience near his home along Pioneer Trail.

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“I was working in my garden near the trail when two young juveniles came flying by on e-bikes,” Case said. “They weren’t pedaling and were going as fast as the cars on Pioneer. If someone had been walking nearby – or if a car had been coming – it could have been dangerous.”

Case and other officials voiced concern about high-speed devices, limited public awareness, and younger riders using bikes that may fall outside legal definitions. Sackett said local police had received four e-bike-related complaints in 2025 as of May 20.

“But I think people are seeing more of these bikes and wondering whether they should call,” Sackett said. “What really drives the discomfort is the speed—and the sense that someone could get hurt.”

Class 1, 2, 3 – and everything else

Under Minnesota law, an electric-assisted bicycle is defined as a bike with a motor up to 750 watts that falls into one of three classes:

• Class 1: Pedal-assist only, with motor support up to 20 mph.
• Class 2: Includes a throttle; can reach 20 mph with or without pedaling.
• Class 3: Pedal-assist only, with motor support up to 28 mph.

Motorized bikes that exceed these specifications – often sold as ‘mini-motos’ – are illegal on sidewalks and trails. Still, city officials said they’re becoming increasingly common on city paths and in public spaces.

“Unless you do a full bike inspection, it’s hard to tell what’s what,” Sackett said. “Some of these devices look like bicycles, but they don’t have pedals or have been modified.”

Markle added that many of the fastest bikes – especially those ridden by younger teens – don’t meet the legal definitions.

“We’re seeing devices with throttles that go over 20 mph,” she said. “Those aren’t Class 1, 2 or 3. They’re motorized bikes or mopeds and not allowed on our trails.”

By state law, riders must be at least 15 years old to operate an electric-assisted bicycle, and at least 16 to operate an e-motorbike.

Enforcement and education

Sackett emphasized that Eden Prairie is prioritizing education over enforcement, particularly with underage riders.

“Our goal is to educate first and request compliance,” he said. “We don’t want to see a tragedy happen that finally wakes people up to how dangerous some of these devices can be.”

Police have begun working with local e-bike retailers to ensure they understand the state’s age restrictions and product classifications. Officers are also conducting targeted patrols in areas where complaints have been received and making contact with parents when appropriate.

“If we know kids are out there riding every night from 4 to 6 p.m., we’ll try to have officers there,” Sackett said. “Sometimes a conversation with a parent is all it takes.”

State statute 169.222 outlines rules for all cyclists, including e-bike users. That includes using an audible signal when passing and maintaining a safe distance. Sackett said unsafe behavior – not just speed – is the issue.

“It’s really about how people ride,” he said. “Someone cruising on an e-bike is one thing. But when you’ve got kids weaving through people in a park or going 30 mph on a sidewalk, that’s when we need to respond.”

What the city is doing

Markle said the city has launched several initiatives aimed at education, including:

• A dedicated cycling safety section on the city’s website
• News articles outlining trail rules
• A flyer distributed at community events
• Outreach at events like Community Bike Day on June 1

Class 1 through 3 e-bikes are permitted on Eden Prairie’s hard-surfaced trails and sidewalks, but not on soft-surface trails (such as crushed limestone paths) or conservation areas. Bikes are encouraged to use trails when both sidewalks and trails are available on a street.

The city is evaluating additional signage and is planning to build a dedicated mountain bike trail to reduce use in undesignated areas.

Still, officials said they are watching what other cities are doing for ideas. Case pointed to Minneapolis, which has more extensive bike infrastructure, as a potential model.

“I’d love to know what cities like Minneapolis are doing,” Case said. “Are they issuing tickets? Are they looking the other way? It would help us decide what comes next.”

Getschow added: “Right now, we’re doing what every other city is doing under state law. Until someone else creates a new model, this is where we are.”

City officials plan to revisit the topic in a future workshop, likely in the fall, after tracking summer enforcement data and regional trends.

In the meantime, Sackett urged residents to speak up.

“If you see unsafe behavior – someone flying down a sidewalk or weaving through a park – call us,” he said. “The sooner we hear about it, the sooner we can respond.”