Have you walked down a sidewalk in Sheridan when suddenly someone appears on an electric bike from nowhere?
“We've seen a noticeable increase in individuals, especially kids, operating mini bikes, small dirt bikes, and other motorized vehicles throughout Sheridan,” Mayor Cain Nattin told the Fire. “Many are riding on public streets and sidewalks, often without safety equipment or regard for traffic. It's become a growing safety concern for both the riders and the public. Sheridan Police has been notified and are in the process of addressing the issue.”
The Sheridan City Council addressed the issue Tuesday night when it unanimously passed a five-page ordinance “establishing regulations for the use, protection, and preservation of sidewalks, shared-use paths, trails, and other pedestrian facilities owned, operated, or maintained by the City of Sheridan; providing for the safe use of such facilities; prohibiting certain motor vehicles and activities; providing for enforcement and penalties; and for other purposes.”
The ordinance stresses pedestrians always have priority; bikes, e-bikes, skateboards, and scooters must yield and give an audible warning when passing.
What is permitted? Walking, running, wheelchairs/mobility devices, strollers, bicycles, e-bikes, non-motorized scooters, roller skates/blades, skateboards.
Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on sidewalks, paths, and trails.
Class 3 e-bikes are restricted to shared-use paths and trails only (not sidewalks, unless the city specifically authorizes it). Modifying an e-bike to exceed its legal speed class is prohibited in Sheridan.
People should not drive careless or reckless. A 15 mph speed cap exists for bikes/permitted devices on trails and shared-use paths unless otherwise posted.
Other highlights of the ordinance include:
Prohibited motorized vehicles: Motorcycles, mopeds, mini-bikes, dirt bikes, ATVs, UTVs, go-karts, electric motorcycles, and similar vehicles — with exceptions for emergency vehicles, city maintenance/utility vehicles, disability mobility devices, and anything the mayor specifically authorizes.
Parking/vehicle encroachment: No parking, stopping, or driving vehicles across sidewalks or trails except at approved crossings; violators are liable for damage costs.
Infrastructure protection: Prohibits damaging, altering, or excavating these facilities without City approval; responsible parties bear repair costs.
Obstructions: Bans blocking pedestrian passage with construction materials, dumpsters, merchandise displays, debris, equipment, or storage containers; the City can remove violations.
Construction/cost recovery: Anyone damaging a facility (contractors, utilities, developers, etc.) must restore it to City standards; if they don't, the City can do the work and bill them, plus a 15% administrative fee (minimum $100).
Reminder, operators of bicycles, electric bicycles, skateboards, scooters, and other permitted devices should always yield to pedestrians at all times.
Violating Ordinance = Misdemeanor
Sheridan Police Department, code enforcement, or Parks and Recreation staff will enforce the ordinance. Violations are misdemeanors, fined $50–$500 per offense, with each day of continued violation counted as a separate offense.
Ultimately, the purpose of the ordinance is to:
Promote safe, orderly use of sidewalks, shared-use paths, trails, and pedestrian facilities
Protect the public's infrastructure investment from unnecessary damage and deterioration
Ensure continued accessibility for pedestrians and people with disabilities
Reduce conflicts between different types of users (walkers, cyclists, e-bike riders, etc.)
Preserve facilities that were built using federal and state transportation grant funds
Set rules for how bicycles, electric bicycles, motorized devices, and related activities can operate on these facilities
“The ordinance that was passed unanimously Tuesday night and endorsed unanimously by our Zoning and Planning Commission (Ord. 26-14) is not about taking away individuals’ ability to ride or have fun,” Nattin told the Fire. “It's about protecting them and everyone else using our sidewalks. Without clear regulations, the City is limited in its ability to address unsafe behavior before someone is seriously injured.
“We want to educate first, encourage responsible riding, and make sure our sidewalks remain safe for pedestrians while our streets remain safe for motorists.”