Proposed E

OCEAN CITY, NJ — A proposed ban on electric bicycles on the boardwalk has been tabled by Ocean City Council after several community members spoke out against it, saying the ban would be too much for those who are responsible.

Low speed electric bikes, motorized bikes and electric scooters would be banned on the boardwalk and boardwalk ramps under the proposed ordinance.

It was primarily senior citizens who rejected the ban, many of whom saying they frequently used e-bikes as a form of exercise.

Bill Eberle, a long-time Ocean City resident, said he was "73, with a heart condition, a proud owner of an e-bike."

He called the ban "a little arbitrary" and "overkill."

Several residents noted that the ban would penalize responsible drivers of e-bikes when it is only a small number who drive recklessly, which could happen with a regular bike as well, they said.

Some voiced concerns that the ban could be seen as discrimination against people with disabilities.

"I think this town is opening itself up potentially to legal action under the Americans With Disabilities Act," said Robin Shaffer, a resident who also serves on the Ocean City Board of Education.

Shaffer urged Council to "take a pause" and look closer into the issue.

Council took the comments into consideration and voted 6-1 to table the ordinance. Councilwoman Karen Bergman was the lone no vote; she had suggested allowing e-bikes from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. and said that a delay in implementation could be dangerous.

"I don't want to punish everybody for a handful of people," Councilman Tom Rotondi said of the ban.

Councilman Bob Barr, who has cerebral palsy, noted that "something needs to be done" about e-bikes, but that he does not want to discriminate against people who need to use the e-bikes.

He said he would speak with Police Chief Jay Prettyman to figure out the answer.

"We need to send a clear message to these teenagers that something has to be done," Barr said. "This cannot be tolerated."