E-motorcyclist injured after driving down sidewalk, colliding with car

A 16-year-old male was hospitalized after he was driving an e-motorcycle on the south sidewalk of Highway 2 in Columbia Falls Thursday and struck a car making a turn into the Park Side Credit Union lot, Columbia Falls Police Chief Chad Stephens said.

The driver of the motorcycle was doing at least 30 mph on the sidewalk when the accident occurred. The motorcyclist was transported to the hospital by Three River Ambulance for treatment of injuries. He was partially embedded into the car. Fortunately he was wearing a helmet.

Stephens said this was the cyclist’s second incident.

The motorcyclist was at fault in the crash, Stephens said and was ticketed for reckless driving.

The Columbia Falls city council is expected to start the process of crafting laws to curb illegal electric motorcycle use on sidewalks and streets. They differ from electric bicycles in that they don’t have pedals and generally go faster than e-bikes.

The motorcycles are popular with youths, but many are being driven on streets and sidewalks,  councilmembers and police noted during a city council Monday. E-bikes have also been a problem, but to a lesser degree. Some models can go faster than posted speed limits, which is 25 mph on almost all city streets.

Regardless of what mode of transportation on city streets and sidewalks, people still have to obey traffic laws and speed limits, police note.

The city will begin crafting laws specific to e-motorcycles, e-scooters and e-bikes in an attempt to address the problem, as there are no state laws that really regulate them.

The city will look to e-motorcycles and e-scooters on sidewalks, shared paths and in city parks, where they tear up the grass.

The public safety committee will take up the matter next week, with a full review by council this fall.

As with any new law, the public will have a chance to weigh in as well.

This story has been updated to include more information on the incident.