Wednesday, October 14, 2026
By Mark Jurkowitz | Outer Banks Voice on September 3, 2026
Following a presentation from Police Chief Perry Hale, the Nags Head Commissioners decided they were not ready to amend the town’s E-Bike ordinance at their Sept. 2 meeting.
“I’d like to chew on this more,” said Mayor Ben Cahoon, who described the decision as a “quandary.” In his remarks, Hale had suggested that the town “do away with E-Bikes on the multi-use path on NC 12.”
The Sept. 2 discussion followed the NC Legislature’s recent passage of HB 1094, which defines three classes of E-Bikes and gives municipalities the ability to regulate E-Bikes “on any multi-use path or sidewalk within municipal limits.” Its provisions will go into effect on Dec. 1, 2026.
The current Nags Head ordinance makes it unlawful to operate an E-Bike “on any multi-use pedestrian path, sidewalk, street, or other public area recklessly or at a speed faster than is reasonably proper, or in a manner so as to endanger the life, limb, or property of the rider or of any other person.” Back in 2023. an effort to amend the Nags Head ordinance failed.
During the Sept. 2 meeting, Hale addressed safety issues related to E-Bikes on the NC-12 multi-use path, particularly given the “number of driveways that connect to the multi-use path.” He added that “there have been some collisions” involving E-Bikes, but noted that “we’ve had more near misses.”
Hale also explained that the Nags Head Police cannot monitor E-Bike speeds on the multi-use paths, stating that “whatever decision we make, we’re not going to catch them [violators] all.”
“You’re weighing public safety against people who are riding their bikes responsibly,” said Commissioner Bob Sanders, as the commissioners indicated they needed more time and feedback before making any changes to the ordinance.
The meeting comes as Dare County itself has taken some measures to restrict E-Bike use. In April, the county prohibited the operation of E-Bikes at Dare County Parks & Rec parks. In June, the Dare County Board of Education approved a policy barring the operation of E-Bikes on school property or at school-related activities.
But Hale told the commissioners that as of now, none of the Dare municipalities have taken action to amend their E-Bike regulations, adding that they “were waiting to see what came down from the legislature.”
Comments
OBXBill
Glad to hear the NH Board kept the topic open and are interested in additional feedback. As the current ordinances from 2023 are effective and enforceable based primarily on speed along the Rt 12 multi-use path. I would also note that during shoulder and off seasons there is rarely traffic on the path, thus for majority of the year the path is rarely used. Though even in summer months, the path remains relatively light to foot traffic especially outside concentrated areas near popular businesses or attractions along the path. Driveway exiting is a risk, but whether ebike or regular bike, or for that matter a jogger/pedistrian, cars exiting onto Rt 12 also have a responsibility to be aware of any traffic on the path. “Near misses” could be anything and only a perception as compared to quantifiable evidence.
An additional consideration is that the 158 path has gaps that if someone is traversing the 158 path, they have to transit to the east side to travel along Rt 12 to reconnect to the 158 path if needed. All in all, the paths are there to provide safe and reliable travel for multi use. Otherwise, Rt 12 would require widening to add a bi-directional designated bike lanes on the roadway, which too would not be a bad idea to connect all of Rt 12 from Kitty Hawk to Nags Head. With that too, a designated bike/multi-use lane accross the Causeway bridge would be great as well to connect Manteo (bike/pedistrian path similar to causeway in Surf City, NC).
The key to e-bikes is that they provide a transportation offering that can allow travel all throughout the area from Nags Head to Corolla. Between travel for work, play, or other where a car may not be an option or given fuel and other costs, the e-bike is more economical. They should not be banned/restricted beyond current effective and enforceble ordinances and state laws.
Perhaps engaged town/county events specific to e-bikes would help inform/prepare youth and parents by providing engaging and fun “safe riding” sessions.
Wondering
Someone is going to be seriously hurt on a e-bike if nothing changes. They move faster than bicycles, have a smaller profile than a car, and are hard for automobile drivers to see, especially at twilight. A bush can obscure them for a split second it takes to pull out in front of one. I’ve seen a lot of them going in “daredevil” style, zipping and weaving around, driven by young kids. I saw an e-bike last week with three kids on it. The issue with current laws is that they emerged from bicycle law. E-bikes need their own category, more akin to motorcycles. With some type of regulation for young people driving them.
Travis
Nags Head board defers on Flock, Nags Head board delays on e-bikes…
Nags Head’s board does like to dither.
OBXBill
Yea, the reckless riding style where kids are in a wheelie continously down a road crossing center lane and swerving near cars is an issue and police can enforce that under existing ordinances. Same with excessive speed, there are ordinances now that cover that. If police enforce those ordinances, it will have an impact. A police cruiser monitoring vehicle traffic for speed, will also pick up an ebike speed, and if the ordinance/law is broken, the rider can be stopped/ticketed regardless if kid or adult. Bottom line is that existing laws and ordinances cover these scenarios, its just a matter of enforcement.
Granted, as noted with driveways and the RT 12 path, an e-Bike should likely ride on the road itself with traffic especially if riding over 20mph. Though, bike lanes on Rt 12 from KH through Nags Head would be the best option as it provides ebikes and fast pedal (road) bikers designated lanes for travel.
Though outright bans on legal e-bikes is the wrong direction, and most in favor of bans are based the optics of kids out there riding recklessly which could also be done on a pedal bike. Wheelies and swerving on pedal bikes is also some of the new norm in how kids ride bikes these days. Thus whether on an ebike or pedal bike, kids can ride recklessly, its just a matter of enforcement by the town and county police departments.
Dither This
The Nags Head board does not dither! They’re extremely intelligent and responsible in their decision-making. They are trying to do what’s best for the majority of the people, perhaps instead of making comments calling them out, you should refer to the county commissioners who do not think about those of us that vote them in to represent us and react based on a very small percentage of the total population.
Why not offer solutions vs calling our representatives out.
My solution is to require a e-bike sticker that has to be attached to the bike. In order to get the sticker the individual riding it must attend a safety seminar providing name, address and personal information holding them or parents responsible if driven in an unsafe manner.