Two bikers tear down the street as flashing red and blue lights close in from behind. The first biker twists the throttle, and they speed down a side street to escape. The second biker is caught, but the officers aren’t met by an apology, rather a phone shoved towards their face. The officer leaves, shaking his head since there isn’t much punishment he can give this 12-year-old. He wonders if these children are truly the bane of Kirkwood, or simply kids enjoying life.
The Kirkwood City Council addressed this issue Sept. 3 in a recent change to city ordinance. The council defined guidelines for which vehicles can drive on sidewalks based on their different features. They included class one (pedal-assist only and 20 mph max) and two (throttle and 20 mph max) e-bikes among them. Lorelei Kadel (10) said she disagrees with the choice to allow e-bikes on the sidewalks, and said she’s had several frightening encounters with e-bike riders.
“
— Lorelei Kadel…