Prairie Village may soon regulate electric unicycles, motorized skateboards and other battery-powered riding devices under a new set of rules modeled on the city's existing e-bike and e-scooter ordinance.

The city council discussed two proposed changes to that ordinance Monday, Oct. 5, as first reported by FOX4 Kansas City reporters Paris Rain and Brian Dulle. No final vote was scheduled for that meeting.

The first change would move beyond the ordinance's current focus on e-bikes and e-scooters by creating a broader "micromobility devices" category. That umbrella would cover electric-assisted scooters, motorized skateboards, electric unicycles and similar single-rider electric devices, according to model language developed for the Standard Traffic Ordinance for Kansas Cities. E-bikes would remain under their own existing rules.

The second change targets younger riders. Under the proposal, a parent or guardian who knowingly allows a child to break the ordinance could be held responsible. A citation issued to a rider under 18 could be charged to the parent or guardian.

Prairie Village police requested both changes. The department said the current rules were created in response to safety concerns from residents and officers, according to FOX4. A regional working group has since developed a model policy aimed at making e-bike regulations more consistent across the Kansas City metro, and police said the city's existing ordinance already aligns with many of those recommendations.

The city first adopted its e-bike and e-scooter ordinance in late July 21, 2025. That law requires riders under 18 to wear a helmet, bars anyone under 16 from operating a device capable of exceeding 20 mph, and requires Class 3 e-bikes to stay on the roadway. Police began writing citations for violations of those rules, as we reported Oct. 2.

Existing age and helmet requirements would remain in place under the proposed expansion. The model ordinance language also recommends a 15 mph on sidewalks and 20 mph on bicycle lanes, multi-use paths and trails.

The next scheduled council meeting is Monday, Oct. 19. Residents can attend or contact the city to weigh in before then.