Rock Springs, Wyo., Advances E-Bike Rules That Mirror State Classes; Gillette Police Say Most Citations Involved Electric Dirt Bikes

The Rock Springs City Council in Wyoming on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, advanced Ordinance 2026-11, its update to local e-bike and scooter rules, on second reading, the Rocket Miner reported. The same night, across the state, the Gillette City Council talked through its own e-bike rewrite after police said nearly all the riders they cited this summer were on electric dirt bikes, County 17 reported.

We are the e-bike experts, and both towns are drawing the same line: a pedal e-bike is not an electric motorcycle. Here is what each city is doing.

Rock Springs: mirror state law, keep it enforceable

Councilor Eric Bingham's amendments, which passed unanimously, Wyo4News reported, focus on lining the city code up with Wyoming law. Under the ordinance as described by the Rocket Miner:

State classes. The city would use the state's definitions for Class 1, 2 and 3 e-bikes, electric scooters, motorized skateboards and motor vehicles, and clear up confusion between e-bikes and higher-powered e-motorcycles.

Sidewalks allowed, at a "prudent speed." E-bikes and scooters may use sidewalks and pedestrian paths if riders keep a prudent speed and yield to pedestrians before passing them.

Park limits. The city could restrict or ban e-bikes in specific parks and recreation areas where problems have come up.

Parents on the hook. Parents or guardians who knowingly let a minor ride in violation could be held accountable. "We're not citing young children directly," Bingham said.

No helmet or under-16 mandate. Bingham pulled proposed helmet and under-16 street rules after working with Police Chief Bill Erspamer, choosing "a less restrictive approach" that mirrors state law. A proposed one-year warning period was also dropped; police will handle education through department policy.

Councilman Rob Zotti raised concerns about allowing Class 3 bikes that can reach 28 mph on sidewalks but supported the ordinance as a starting point. Bingham said radar-checking speeds on sidewalks is not feasible, Wyo4News reported. Erspamer said e-motorcycles are treated as motor vehicles that require licenses and insurance. "The only thing worse than a bad law is a law that is not enforceable," Mayor Max Mickelson said. The third and final reading is set for Tuesday, November 3.

Gillette: the numbers point at electric dirt bikes

Police Captain Kelly Alger told the Gillette council that officers recorded 68 contacts involving electric mobility devices from June 1 through Oct. 20, with 12 proactive traffic stops, 16 warnings and 19 citations. "The majority … I can almost say nearly all … were electric dirt bikes," Alger said, County 17 reported.

The 750-watt line. Under Wyoming law, an e-bike must have a motor of 750 watts or less and working pedals to be Class 1, 2 or 3, and it generally follows bicycle rules, County 17 reported. Electric dirt bikes above that need a driver's license, insurance and registration on public roads and are barred from city sidewalks and paths, Alger said.

What residents said. A city survey drew 478 responses. On e-bikes on sidewalks and pathways, 154 said yes, 43 said no and 120 chose other. Of 442 written comments, 119 asked for helmet requirements.

Where it is heading. Council members agreed e-bikes should be allowed on paved park paths and parking lots but kept off irrigated grass, landscaping and sports fields, and they asked staff to narrow a downtown sidewalk ban to the Gillette Avenue area. Violations can carry misdemeanor fines of up to $750, and the council discussed possibly waiving a first-offense fine for buying an approved helmet.

Nothing passed in Gillette. City staff will draft ordinance language, and it is expected to come back for review and public hearings.

What riders should do now

Know what you ride. Check the class label on your frame. If your motor is over 750 watts or has no working pedals, Wyoming treats it as something other than an e-bike.

Slow down on sidewalks. Both towns are weighing pedestrian safety. Yield to pedestrians before you pass them.

Wear a helmet. Neither city is mandating one yet, but council members in both pushed for them, and we recommend one for every rider. Shop our helmet picks.

Watch Nov. 3. Rock Springs' rules are not final until the third reading.

This is a summary of news reports, not legal advice. Check the final ordinances from the City of Rock Springs and the City of Gillette for exact rules.

More from ElectricBikes.com News: Palm Beach e-bike rules · Oviedo, Fla., sets 15 mph sidewalk limit · More e-bike news

Sources

Trina Dennis Brittain, "RS City Council navigates E-bike evolution with second ordinance reading," Rocket Miner, October 21, 2026: wyomingnews.com

"Rock Springs residents challenge civic center closure as council advances key local ordinances," Wyo4News, October 21, 2026: wyo4news.com

"Gillette City Council debates e-bike rules, safety," County 17, October 22, 2026: county17.com

Photo: Gillette Avenue and 4th Street in downtown Gillette, Wyoming, by Tony Webster via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 2.0); cropped, headline added in the featured image. Illustrative.

Looking for a pedal-assist e-bike instead of an electric dirt bike? See our Lectric e-bike picks.

Page link: https://www.electricbikes.com/news/n41