Boise (670 KBOI) – The Boise City Council gives the okay for e-bikes — or electric bikes — to start operating on the Greenbelt and in bike lanes.

Jimmy Hallyburton with the Boise Bicycle Project says a change was written into the ordnance after the Council heard from the public…allowing the bikes on sidewalks.

“Because if someone had to go on Fairview, or State Street, or a really busy road, that can be really dangerous, and if there is no infrastructure there, allowing them on the sidewalk seems like it makes sense,” said Hallyburton.  “And they still have to obey all the same rules on the sidewalk.”

The ordnance applies only to Class 1 and 2 e-bikes, which can’t go over 20 miles an hour. Reckless driving laws would apply to the e-bikes just as they do to pedal-powered bikes.

Hallyburton says e-bikes are becoming more and more popular nationwide, so it’s smart for the City to get ahead of the trend, and get some rules in place.