Brookings E-Bike Rules: Class 3 Off the Trails, 15 mph Cap, Sidewalks for Walkers
Illustration. Not a specific Brookings trail.
Brookings has more than 30 miles of trails, and until now the city code didn't say much about what could be ridden on them. That changed on Oct. 27, when the City Council passed Ordinance 26-026 on second reading. It rewrites the city's sidewalk, trail and shared-use path rules with e-bikes and e-scooters in mind.
Jump to: Rules table | Sidewalks | Trails and the 15 mph limit | Class 3 | Passing and yielding | E-scooters | Tickets | Helmets | Checklist | Local shops | FAQ
"Technology is moving so fast, and our infrastructure is growing," Josh Bauman, the city's interim Parks, Recreation and Forestry director, told the Brookings Beacon. "We have so many different types of devices out there."
Here's what the adopted ordinance says, in plain English.
Status as of Nov. 3, 2026: adopted Oct. 27, 2026 and published Oct. 30, 2026. Under South Dakota law, a city ordinance generally takes effect 20 days after publication unless a referendum is filed, so expect the rules to apply later in November. This is general information, not legal advice. Check the city's adopted text before you rely on any detail.
The rules at a glance
| Rule | What Ordinance 26-026 says |
|---|---|
| Where it applies | Public sidewalks, public trails and shared-use paths, and park pathways and greenways the city owns or maintains |
| Sidewalks | Allowed: pedestrians, mobility assistance devices (including adaptive bikes), small micromobility devices and e-scooters at pedestrian pace. E-bikes aren't on the list. |
| Trails and shared-use paths | Allowed: pedestrians, bicycles, Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes, mobility devices, micromobility devices and e-scooters |
| Class 3 e-bikes | Not allowed on any sidewalk, trail or shared-use path unless the city specifically designates it |
| Speed on trails | 15 mph maximum, and never faster than is "reasonable and prudent" for conditions |
| Speed on sidewalks | Normal pedestrian pace for all devices |
| Right-of-way | Pedestrians have it at all times. Yield to slower riders too. |
| Passing | Keep right, pass on the left, give an audible signal first, don't block the whole path |
| E-scooters | Banned from sidewalks and trails if capable of more than 20 mph. Need working brakes, plus a front light and rear reflector in low light. |
| Motorized vehicles | ATVs, UTVs and dirt bikes banned unless Parks authorizes them |
| Signs | City signs and markings carry the force of law |
| Enforcement | Warning, citation or fine as set by city ordinance. Repeat violations can restrict access to city facilities. |
Source: Brookings Ordinance 26-026, as published Oct. 30, 2026, amending City Code Chapter 62, Article V, Sections 62-200 through 62-213.
Sidewalks are for walking pace
The ordinance lists exactly who can use a sidewalk: people on foot, people using mobility assistance devices (wheelchairs, walkers, adaptive bikes), small micromobility devices like skateboards and hoverboards, and e-scooters. Everything on that list has to move at pedestrian speed.
E-bikes aren't on it. Neither are regular bicycles. The Brookings Beacon summed it up the same way: Class 1 and 2 e-bikes are allowed on trails, but not sidewalks. The prohibited-uses section only names Class 3 for sidewalks, so if you have questions about a Class 1 or 2 bike on a sidewalk, ask the city's Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department. The safe move is simple: ride the street or the trail, and walk the bike if you need the sidewalk.
Trails and paths: Class 1 and 2 are in, at 15 mph
Class 1 (pedal assist to 20 mph) and Class 2 (throttle to 20 mph) e-bikes are allowed on the city's trails and shared-use paths. The rules apply to public trails and shared-use paths, plus park pathways and greenways the city owns or maintains.
The catch is speed. The ordinance sets a 15 mph maximum on trails and shared-use paths for everyone, regular bikes included. A Class 1 or 2 bike will happily assist you to 20, so in practice that means riding a notch or two below what the motor allows.
"The maximum speed on trails and shared-use pathways is 15 miles per hour," Council Member Brianna Doran said, according to Brookings Radio.
On top of the number, there's a judgment rule: no one may ride "at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under the conditions." On a crowded Saturday by the nature park, 15 can still be too fast.
Class 3 is off sidewalks, trails and paths
A Class 3 e-bike gives pedal assist up to 28 mph. Under the new rules you can't ride one on any sidewalk, trail or shared-use path in Brookings "unless specifically designated by the City."
"Class 3 electric bikes which can provide assistance up to 28 miles per hour are not permitted," Doran said.
The ordinance itself doesn't name any designated Class 3 routes. Unless the city designates one, a Class 3 bike belongs on the road, where it operates like any other bicycle. City Manager Paul Briseno said bikes on the road "should be operating just as a vehicle," going the same direction as traffic.
Not sure which class you own? Look for the class sticker on the frame, usually near the motor or the seat tube. Our guide to checking your e-bike motor label shows where to find it. If your bike has a switch that unlocks a higher speed, the class it's set to matters, so ride it in the mode that matches where you are.
Passing, yielding and sharing the path
These rules apply to every rider and walker on a trail or path:
- Pedestrians always have the right-of-way. Riders also yield to anyone slower than them, including slower cyclists.
- Keep right except when passing.
- Pass on the left, and give an audible signal first. A bell or "on your left" works.
- Don't take up the whole path. Leave room for people coming the other way.
- Stay in control of your bike or device at all times.
"Our trails are for everybody, and people see recreation in different ways," Bauman told the Beacon. "We just encourage everybody to be respectful and responsible."
E-scooters get their own section
Brookings now spells out scooter rules too:
- Any e-scooter that can go faster than 20 mph is banned from sidewalks, trails and shared-use paths, no matter how fast you actually ride it.
- On trails and paths, scooters are capped at 15 mph. On sidewalks, they're held to pedestrian speed.
- Scooters need working brakes. In low light they need a front light and a rear reflector.
- No rental or shared scooter program can operate in town without city approval.
One quirk: Section 62-206 says scooters can do 15 mph on trails but only pedestrian speed on sidewalks, while Section 62-213 says no scooter may exceed 15 mph on sidewalks, trails or paths. The stricter reading, walking pace on the sidewalk, is the safe one to follow.
Will you get a ticket?
The ordinance allows a warning, a citation, or a fine "as established by City ordinance." It doesn't list dollar amounts. Repeat offenders can lose access to city facilities.
The city has said early enforcement will be light. "This whole new process is going to be about education rather than enforcement," Doran said, describing a public awareness campaign the Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department is running with police, nonprofits and schools. The Beacon reported the education push will run over the next year.
Signs matter, though. Under the new rules, city signs and pavement markings carry the force of law, so if a path is posted differently, the sign wins.
Helmets and age: that's state law
The Brookings ordinance doesn't add a helmet rule. South Dakota law already covers it: Class 3 riders must be at least 16, Class 3 bikes need a speedometer, and Class 3 riders under 18 and all Class 3 passengers must wear a helmet. Briseno put it this way: "Anyone over 18 you don't have to wear a helmet. There are some state rules and regulations on helmets and safety as well."
More on the statewide rules in our South Dakota e-bike laws guide.
Quick checklist before you ride in Brookings
- Know your class. Class 3 means roads only, at least for now.
- Stay off sidewalks on an e-bike. Walk it if you have to use one.
- Keep it at or under 15 mph on trails and paths, and slower when it's busy.
- Get a bell, and use it before you pass.
- Yield to walkers every time.
- Scooter riders: check that your scooter tops out at 20 mph or less, and run a light at dusk.
- Read the signs. They're enforceable now.
For a wider look at how cities are setting these limits, see our roundup of 15 mph trail limits vs. Class 3 bans.
Local e-bike shops in Brookings
Need help figuring out your bike's class, a speedometer, or a bell? Two Brookings shops are listed on eBikeListings:
- Bluestem Bicycles, 405 Main Ave. (4.8 stars, 55 Google reviews)
- DO Bike and Fitness, 1738 6th St. (4.8 stars, 18 Google reviews)
See them on our Brookings e-bike shops page, or browse all of Brookings County. Looking for places to ride? Try things to do in Brookings County.
FAQ
Can I ride an e-bike on the sidewalk in Brookings?
No. The ordinance's list of sidewalk uses covers pedestrians, mobility devices, small micromobility devices and e-scooters at walking pace. E-bikes aren't included. Ride the street or a trail, or walk the bike.
Are Class 3 e-bikes allowed on Brookings trails?
No, not unless the city specifically designates a trail or path for them. Class 3 bikes can still ride on roads, following state law.
What's the speed limit on Brookings trails?
15 mph for everyone on trails and shared-use paths, and slower if conditions call for it. On sidewalks, all devices must go no faster than a normal walking pace.
When do the new rules take effect?
The council adopted Ordinance 26-026 on Oct. 27, 2026, and it was published Oct. 30. South Dakota ordinances generally take effect 20 days after publication, so expect the rules to apply later in November 2026 unless a referendum is filed.
Do I need a helmet on an e-bike in Brookings?
The city ordinance doesn't require one. Under South Dakota law, Class 3 riders under 18 and all Class 3 passengers must wear a helmet.
Shopping for an e-bike or a repair in eastern South Dakota? Browse every South Dakota e-bike shop on eBikeListings.
Riding in Brookings?
South Dakota rules, plus local shops that can check your e-bike's class.
South Dakota E-Bike Laws → Browse Brookings Shops →