The Vienna Common Council passed on first reading an ordinance that would prohibit operation of most motorized scooters and certain electric bicycles by people 15 years of age and younger, with exceptions for parental supervision and for class 1 and class 2 electric bicycles.

The ordinance — introduced at first reading by a city official identified in the transcript as “Mister Scobbshead” — adopts West Virginia‑style classifications for electric bicycles and defines motorized scooters broadly to include devices that are not autocycles, motorcycles, motor‑driven cycles or electric bicycles under state law. “I’m not gonna read it by title unless council wants me to read the entire thing,” the presenter said while summarizing the ordinance.

Under the draft the council debated, class 1 and class 2 electric bicycles (both capped by state definitions at 20 mph) would be permitted in the same locations as conventional bicycles; class 3 e‑bikes and higher‑speed devices would be prohibited for the under‑15 age group. A direct‑supervision exception allows a minor to operate a covered device while under the physical supervision of a parent or guardian in line‑of‑sight and hearing distance; the supervising adult would be responsible for safety compliance.

Council members spent most of the public discussion and early council debate wrestling with two issues: how to define and distinguish low‑speed children’s “toys” from higher‑powered devices, and how the city’s police could enforce distinctions on the street. “The hardest part of this is for law enforcement purposes is finding a definition that accurately covers these devices,” the presenter said. Chief Powell had reviewed the draft and council members requested his department recommend enforceable language for second reading.

Penalties were amended during the meeting. The ordinance as drafted initially carried fines of $25–$100 for a first offense and $50–$250 for subsequent offenses. A council member moved and the council approved an amendment increasing fines to a first‑offense range of $50–$250 and a second‑offense range of $250–$500; the amendment passed before the main ordinance first reading vote.

After discussion the council approved the ordinance on first reading as amended; the meeting transcript records the result as “motion passes on first reading” with a roll‑call indicated by raised hands and an opposition count of two members (vote 5–2). The ordinance will come back for second reading, and council members asked staff and Chief Powell to refine device definitions and to recommend clear, enforceable language that can distinguish low‑speed children’s scooters from higher‑powered devices.

Officials emphasized the measure is intended to protect children and motorists from collisions and from fast motorized devices operating on neighborhood streets and sidewalks; it does not change where traditional, non‑motorized bicycles may be ridden.