The popularity of e-bikes and electric scooters has exploded in the past year. This creates special challenges for tourist communities. Many of the riders may be visiting the area and choose to rent the device having little or no experience with a powered bike. Others may not know where it is legal to ride a e-bike. But the top problems appear to be the speed of some bikes and the lack of helmets for riders.

The Gulf Shores City Council approved changes to the city’s new ordinance regulating e-bikes this week.

“The purpose of this Ordinance is to implement reasonable regulations on the operation and use of these types of mobility devices pursuant to the City's police power to protect the public health, safety, and welfare, to better promote the safe use and operation of regulated mobility devices, to prevent vehicular and pedestrian conflicts and other traffic hazards, to prevent hazards to public safety, and to enhance pedestrian and motorist safety,” the ordinance reads.

Police Chief Dan Netemeyer said he has heard from residents who want changes to make e-bikes safer for riders, car drivers and pedestrians.

“That involves a 14-year-old who rented an e-bike here in Gulf Shores, wrecked it, broke his wrist and missed almost the entire football season with the Gulf Shores High School,” Netemeyer said.

Regulations will require vendors to provide helmets and require viewing of an educational video, require regular inspections and prohibit rentals to people under 18 unless a waiver is signed by a parent or legal guardian, among other requirements.

It also lists unsafe operations such as operating against traffic, in a culvert, ditch or channel, at a speed greater than the posted speed limit and having passengers unless the e-bike is designed for passengers.

The latest changes remove a provision that allowed the city to endorse Class 2 e-bikes for rent with the throttle disabled, and only allow Class 1 rentals. However, language was modified to allow Class 2 e-bike rentals for ADA-compliant devices as long as a placard is presented.

Changes allow for the impounding of e-bikes if renters under 18 violate the provisions.

The rental ordinance will go into effect on March 1 to give the city and rental companies time to prepare.

The city will also begin work educating minors on e-bike and e-moto safety.

“Last week, one of the nuisance abatement officers stopped an e-bike on Coastal Gateway at 46 miles an hour,” Netemeyer said. “It was operated by a 13-year-old with no helmet. So, this is relevant.”

The City Council approved ordinance 21-97 regulating operators, with only Councilman Steve Jones voting no. Ordinance 21-98 regulating rental companies was approved unanimously.