FORT ATKINSON, Wis. — Fort Atkinson has approved updated rules for bicycles, electric bikes and electric scooters, citing growing concerns about rider safety and traffic collisions. The City Council approved the ordinances this week. Under the new rules, bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters may not carry more passengers than they were designed to accommodate. Riders must also follow traffic signs and signals. A single-rider bicycle may still transport a child if the child is secured in a jump seat or in a trailer attached to the bicycle. The changes also require bicycles to have appropriate lights and reflectors when ridden at night. Riders younger than 16 will not be allowed to operate Class 3 e-bikes, which can provide motor assistance at speeds of up to 28 mph. Parents may face fines if their children violate the updated bicycle-related rules. Fort Atkinson Police Chief Adrian Bump said the goal is to prevent avoidable crashes while keeping streets usable for all travelers. “As this type of transportation continues to grow in popularity, it’s important that riders understand that the same basic rules of safety and responsibility apply,” Bump said. “Our goal is simple: reduce preventable crashes, improve safety, and ensure everyone can use our roadways responsibly.” Data from the Wisconsin Department of Transportation shared by the city showed that reported collisions involving e-bikes and vehicles rose nearly 200% between 2022 and 2025. Vehicle collisions involving e-scooters increased by 260% over the same period. Emergency-room visits also increased among young riders. Emily Greendonner, a spokesperson for UW Health, said 27 patients younger than 18 were treated at American Family Children’s Hospital’s emergency department for e-bike- or e-scooter-related incidents from April through August 2025. During the same months in 2026, the number rose to 123. Many of Fort Atkinson’s revised provisions bring city rules into alignment with Wisconsin law. The changes come as electric micromobility becomes more common, offering residents an alternative to driving while raising new questions about speed, visibility and how safely riders share roads with vehicles and pedestrians.