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Wildwood city commissioners are considering new ordinances to keep skateboards, bicycles, and e-bikes off the Boardwalk during specific hours. The move comes after growing concerns about safety, particularly regarding e-bikes and other vehicles with electric motors. Over the summer, officials in various shore towns, including Wildwood, raised alarms about the operation of these vehicles, citing their potential danger.
In July, a tragic incident in Somers Point resulted in the death of a 14-year-old boy from Egg Harbor Township who was riding an e-bike on a bicycle path. This incident has heightened calls for stricter regulations on e-bikes and similar vehicles. According to The Press of Atlantic City, Wildwood's city attorney, Steven Morris, explained that the new ordinance aims to clarify and enforce existing rules, particularly banning skateboards on the Boardwalk.
The proposed ordinance would set specific hours during which bicycles can be used on the Boardwalk during the peak season, from May 9 to September 30, between 1 p.m. and 5 a.m. Local officials, including Commissioner Krista McConnell and Deputy Mayor Steve Mikulski, are advocating for stricter regulations, such as enhanced registration requirements and helmet mandates for riders.
The popularity of e-bikes as a transportation option in Wildwood has increased, partly due to the city's parking challenges. However, the need for clear distinctions between e-bikes and illegal gas-powered mini bikes and dirt bikes is also emphasized by local business owners like Scott Chambers of Zippy's Bikes.
As the community continues to navigate these challenges, Wildwood officials are expected to work with the police department to develop and enforce a comprehensive plan to ensure the safety of both residents and visitors on the Boardwalk.