Public Notice:
Like many communities, York has seen a sharp increase in the use of alternative vehicles in our neighborhoods and on our streets. With an ever-expanding market, pedestrian-size alternative vehicles can be difficult to categorize, and there have been recent ordinance changes.
Here is how these vehicles can be operated in our community:
Bicycle:
“A pedal-driven, human-powered or motor-assisted vehicle with two or three wheels attached to a frame.”
Bicycles include electric motor-assisted devices with pedals, commonly referred to as E-bikes. Gasoline fueled motor-assisted devices often fall under the statutory definition of a moped (NE statute 60-637), and are governed by state laws (NE Statutes 60-6,30960-6,313). The key distinction when evaluating whether or not a device is considered a bicycle by our ordinances is whether or not it has pedals and can be human powered as well as motor-assisted if so equipped.
Skateboard, Roller-Blade, Hoverboard, and Scooter:
These devices were recently added to the bicycle ordinance under the premise that they are recognizable per typical and commonly accepted definitions, with the added provision that they also may be motor-assisted in operation. For the purposes of this pedestrian-size device ordinance, the term scooter is meant to imply: a device with 2-4 wheels, ridden standing, with a footboard mounted above/between the wheels and an upright steering handle. A key distinction for the term scooter is the lack of a seat.
Bicycle, Skateboard, Roller-Blade, Scooter, and Hoverboard Rules:
Bicycle, Skateboard, Roller-Blade, Scooter, and Hoverboard riders cannot ride on public property with a passenger on the handlebars, or ride on sidewalks in the downtown “C-1” business district. They must ride with reasonable regard for safety, obey all traffic signs, yield to pedestrians, and signal audibly before passing pedestrians.
Mini-Bike:
Mini-bikes are defined by state law (NE statute 60-636) and their definition applies to many of the two-wheel, motor-driven vehicles we are seeing around town. Mini-bikes have two wheels and a small electric or gasoline engine, and are not designed to be human-powered. Mini-bikes are devices such as electric mini motorcycles; devices that do not have pedals and are strictly motor-driven. If a device meets this definition, but has tires that are 14″ or larger, it is a motorcycle and all Nebraska statutory rules regarding motorcycles apply. Mini-bikes are NOT legal on streets, sidewalks, trails, or city property of any kind.
Meeting Link: To see the related ordinance that was approved, Oct 1, 2026 – https://meeting.sparqdata.com/Public/Agenda/169?meeting=769195
Edward Tjaden
Chief of Police
