Lincoln Charter Township officials are beginning to discuss possible guidelines for electric bicycles (e-bikes) as their popularity grows in the community.

Board of Trustees member Debbie Peterson said during Tuesday’s township meeting that while e-bikes offer benefits, they also raise questions about safety and where they should be used.

“If I were younger I would love to have one, but in view of the fact that there is really no regulation except common sense right now, I think there should be some guidelines because (e-bike use) is not going to get smaller. I think it’s going to grow,” said Peterson.

Peterson noted that current regulations are limited and that decisions should balance community needs and common sense. She recounted a recent experience in which she was driving behind an e-bike traveling 15 to 20 miles per hour on John Beers Road, where a sidewalk was available but the rider chose the roadway. She said the slower speed caused a traffic backup, even though the e-bike was legally allowed to be on the road.

Peterson also expressed concerns about e-bikes on sidewalks, citing the number of pedestrians, children, and dog walkers. She said roads might be more appropriate, but speed differences between bicycles and cars remain a consideration.

Any future policy discussions would likely begin with the township’s planning commission, which Peterson said would research how other communities address the issue. She added that input from the police department, including data on calls, accidents, or other concerns, would also help guide the process.

Township manager Ralph Bansen confirmed the Township is considering its options and research has already begun.

“We’re doing some research on if we can put an ordinance in place, and if we do put an ordinance in place, is it enforceable? Or is it better that we go with some type of policy? We can put the policy in place where we would mark our trails with what policy we would like and see if we can get some compliance that way.”

Peterson compared e-bikes to mopeds, which are permitted on roads but not sidewalks, and emphasized that any rules should have community support.