City HallThursday, November 12
Bentonville bans gas-powered and 750-watt-plus electric vehicles from sidewalks and trails
The Daily Bentonville team
If you ride, or have a kid who rides, one of those fast electric machines on Bentonville's trails, this one's for you. The City Council unanimously approved an ordinance Tuesday that bars gas-powered vehicles and electric vehicles with more than 750 watts of continuous power from sidewalks and trails. A memo to the council says the change is meant to "improve safety, address recurring public concerns and promote responsible use of shared public spaces."
- Exempt: city maintenance, contractor and emergency vehicles
- Not covered: most class one, two and three e-bikes
- Fayetteville passed a similar ban last week
The new limit is about power, not just speed
- 750 watts
- of continuous power is the cap for sidewalks and trails
- 1 horsepower
- is what 750 watts equals
- 28 mph
- is the top speed of class one, two and three e-bikes
Sources: khbs, KNWA FOX24
City documents say multiple departments had heard complaints about the vehicles sharing trails with pedestrians. Dylan Pilgrim, who owns OZ Suspension Solutions in Bentonville, said a 4000-watt motor could go 60, 70 or 80 miles an hour in some cases.
“The biggest thing is just parents being aware of what they're buying for their child before they make the purchase.”
Who can use Bentonville sidewalks and trails now
| Vehicle | On sidewalks and trails |
|---|---|
| Class one, two or three e-bikes | Most are not covered by the ban |
| Gas-powered vehicles | Barred |
| Electric over 750 watts | Barred |
| City, contractor, emergency vehicles | Exempt |
Sources: khbs, KNWA FOX24
Sources: khbs, KNWA FOX24