The Village of Iola Board of Trustees will hold a public hearing on Tuesday, Oct. 14, at 5:30 p.m. in the Iola Village Hall Community Room, 180 S. Main Street, to consider updates to Chapter 90 of the municipal code regulating bicycles and play vehicles. The proposed changes will add provisions allowing the use of electric scooters (e-scooters) within the village. Residents will have an opportunity to comment before trustees vote on the ordinance revisions.
Read the ordinance here.
The hearing will mark the first formal step toward integrating e-scooters into local transportation rules, joining bicycles and e-bikes already governed under Chapter 90. The updates are designed to set age limits, operational standards, lighting requirements, and safety provisions for e-scooters, aligning Iola’s policies with state statutes and regional mobility trends.
Under the proposed ordinance, e-scooters could be operated by individuals aged 13 and older, while e-bikes will remain limited to riders aged 16 and above. The revisions will also clarify where scooters may operate, establish equipment requirements for nighttime visibility, and outline penalties for violations.
Chapter 90 currently regulates bicycles, e-bikes, skateboards, and other “play vehicles.” The new draft extends those provisions to cover e-scooters — defining them as lightweight electric devices under 100 pounds with a top speed of 20 mph. The section also distinguishes e-scooters from e-bikes, mopeds, and electric personal assistive mobility devices such as Segways.
During the hearing, trustees are expected to review sections §90-1 through §90-9, including definitions, safety responsibilities, and operating rules. The proposed language emphasizes safe operation, single-file riding, use of hand signals, and prohibitions on trick riding or racing in public spaces. E-scooter riders, like cyclists, will be required to yield to pedestrians and follow right-of-way rules at intersections.
Lighting and visibility are another focus of the revisions. The draft mandates that all e-scooters used after dark must display a white front light visible from 500 feet and a red rear reflector. Optional red rear lamps are also permitted. Parking rules will mirror those for bicycles: scooters must be kept upright near curbs or in designated racks and must not block pedestrian pathways or building entrances.
The Board will also address liability and insurance requirements for rental agencies offering bicycles, e-bikes, or e-scooters. Businesses must provide proof of $1 million in liability insurance per person or incident, with documentation filed at the Village Clerk’s office. The proposed section explicitly states that the Village assumes no liability for accidents involving privately owned or rented scooters.
A separate section, §90-7-A, will clarify restrictions on sidewalk riding, prohibiting e-scooters on sidewalks except where the Board has granted explicit permission through resolution. Children under 12 may continue to ride non-motorized bicycles on sidewalks when accompanied by an adult.
The proposed enforcement section outlines graduated penalties based on age and frequency of offenses, ranging from warnings for first-time child offenders to fines and license suspensions for repeat violations among older riders.
The hearing will give residents a chance to share views before the Board finalizes the amendments. Village officials say the intent is to balance safety with accessibility, recognizing the growing popularity of electric mobility devices across Wisconsin.
The finalized ordinance, if approved, will become part of Iola’s Municipal Code Chapter 90, originally adopted in 1996. Copies of the full text and proposed amendments are available for public inspection at the Village Clerk’s Office during business hours.