Staff photo by Fritz Busch Electric scooters for rent are lined up at Sportsmens Park on Sleepy Eye Lake. Sleepy Eye Police Chief Matt Andres told the city council Tuesday that he’s heard many safety concerns about them lately. The city council agreed the scooters are not permitted to be ridden downtown on Main Street and on First Avenue.

SLEEPY EYE — Due to a rising number of safety concerns he has received from motorists about electric scooters lately, Sleepy Eye Police Chief Matt Andres suggested Tuesday that the city not allow scooters and bicycles downtown on Main Street and First Avenue next year.

“Technically, it’s against state statute to ride a scooter on a sidewalk,” said Andres. “I think that message could be painted on downtown sidewalks. Scooters and bikes should be walked, not ridden there. Riders must be alone on scooters and wear helmets if they are under age 18.”

The minimum age to operate a motorized foot scooter is 12. They must be operated as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or road edge. When preparing to turn left, the operator shall stop and discount on the right-hand curb and cross the road on foot, according to state laws.

Andres said there is no city ordinance regarding scooters, but one could be created and parents of teens violating scooter regulations could be charged.

“Some parents are very responsible or don’t let kids have scooters. It’s a parenting choice the way I see it. Some kids wear helmets, some don’t,” he said.

“It’s the same issue with electric bikes. I’ve seen adults riding them way too fast on my street. There are kids doing the same thing,” said Councilor Gary Windschitl.

Andres said police would make an effort to keep kids riding scooters off Main Street.

“If kids are riding tandem (two on a scooter) or blowing a stop sign, we can stop and talk to them,” he said.

Electric scooters that can be rented through an app in Sportsmens Park on Sleepy Eye Lake. Scooters are automatically set to not operate more than 12 mph on the bike trail and at up to 17 mph off the trail.