The Holly Springs Town Council has voted unanimously to put tighter rules on e-bikes, e-motos and other electric personal travel devices, approving a new ordinance on Wednesday that town leaders say is about basic safety. The measure gives police the power to impound devices that are used unlawfully, sets up escalating fines for repeat violations and clearly reaffirms that pedestrians have the right of way on sidewalks, side paths and greenways.
Why council moved
Town officials say they are reacting to a noticeable uptick in complaints and crashes involving high-powered, often modified e-motos and younger riders. Local coverage of the council’s discussion pointed to a pattern of rising injuries, including hospital cases and a recent fatal e-bike crash in Durham, and featured comments from health providers and local business owners about the trend, according to ABC11.
What the ordinance does
As detailed by WRAL, the ordinance applies to e-bikes, e-motos and a range of other electric personal travel devices. Riders will be required to give an audible signal when passing pedestrians or slower vehicles. The rules spell out that pedestrians have priority on sidewalks, side paths and greenways, authorize officers to impound devices that are used unlawfully and set escalating fines for people who keep breaking the rules. The town expects the ordinance to take effect on June 1, 2026.
Enforcement and regional context
Council materials and police accounts note that the town’s emergency communications center has been fielding more calls about risky riding, including reports of at least two collisions and cases of pre-teens doing stunts on unregistered e-motos. Holly Springs is not acting in a vacuum. Other nearby communities have been tightening micromobility rules as well. Wake Forest, for example, updated its guidance this spring to clarify where motorized scooters and higher-powered e-bikes can legally operate and how officers can enforce violations, according to the town’s police information.
What residents should know
The ordinance keeps motorized vehicles off greenways, side paths and park property and reinforces that people on foot come first in those spaces, WRAL reports. Town staff are planning a public education push, including an online resource guide for parents, youth-focused social media posts and in-person community sessions, so families can get up to speed before the new rules kick in.
Legal implications
Town leaders say the ordinance uses definitions and restrictions that line up with ongoing state-level discussions about how to classify e-bikes, which they hope will make enforcement simpler if the General Assembly sets formal categories or age limits. State and regional reporting has pointed to proposals for a three-class e-bike system and potential minimum ages for faster Class 3 models, as noted by ABC11.
How to get more information
Town officials say they will publish the full ordinance and related outreach materials on the municipal website and through other official channels. Residents with questions can look to the police department’s guidance for details on how the rules will be enforced and for any updates. For the latest notices and contact options, check the Holly Springs Police and town resources online.
