06/23/2026 Ordinances 10,081 ORDINANCE NO 10,081
An ordinance to amend Sections 22-1, 22-4, 22-7 and 22-31 and to repeal sections 22-2
and 22-3 of Grand Island City Code Chapter 22 Motor Vehicles and Traffic and to create or modify
such sections as necessary; to clarify and/or make general corrections to various sections therein;
to repeal any ordinance or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith; and to provide for publication
and the effective date of this ordinance.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE MAYOR AND COUNCILS OF THE CITY OF GRAND
ISLAND,NEBRASKA:
Section 1. Sections 22-1, 22-2, 22-3, 22-4, 22-7 and 22-31 are amended to read as follows:
22-1 Definitions
For the purposes of this chapter, the following words and phrases shall have the meanings
respectively ascribed to them by this section:
Acceleration or Deceleration Lane shall mean a supplementary lane of a highway lane for
traffic, which adjoins the traveled lanes of a highway and connects an approach or exit road with
such highway.
Alley shall mean a street intended to provide access to the rear or side of lots or buildings and
not intended for the purpose of through vehicular traffic.
Alley entrance shall mean the extension of the alley from the property line to the street curb
line.
Arterial street shall mean any street designated by the city council as part of a major arterial
system of streets or used primarily for through traffic.
Autocycle shall mean any motor vehicle:
A. Having a seat that does not require the operator to straddle or sit astride it,
B. Designed to travel on three wheels in contact with the ground,
C. Having antilock brakes,
D. Designed to be controlled with a steering wheel and pedals, and
E. In which the operator and passenger ride either side by side or in tandem in a seating area
that is equipped with a manufacturer-installed three-point safety belt system for each occupant and
that has a seating area that either (a) is completely enclosed and is equipped with manufacturer-
ORDINANCE NO. 10,081 (Cont.)
installed airbags and a manufacturer-installed roll cage or (b) is not completely enclosed and is
equipped with a manufacturer-installed rollover protection system.
Authorized emergency vehicle shall mean vehicles of the Fire Department, the Police
Department, or ambulance owned by public or privately-owned ambulance services.
Automatic traffic signals shall mean any device electrically or mechanically controlled by
which traffic is alternately directed to stop and proceed.
Bicycle shall mean:
A. every device propelled solely by human power, upon which any person may ride, and
having two,three or four wheels, any one or of which being more than fourteen inches in diameter;
and
B. An electric bicycle.
Bus shall mean every motor vehicle designed for carrying more than ten passengers and used
for the transportation of persons, and every motor vehicle other than a taxicab designed and used
for the transportation of persons for compensation.
Class I Electric Bicycle means a device with the following components:
A. Two, three, or four wheels;
B. A saddle or seat for the rider;
C. Fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power; and
D. An electric motor:
a. Not exceeding seven hundred fifty watts of power;
b. That produces no more than one brake horsepower;
c. Capable of propelling the bicycle at a maximum design speed of no more than twenty
miles per hour on level ground;
d. That only provides power when the rider is pedaling; and
e. That does not provide power if the electric bicycle is traveling at a speed of more than
twenty miles per hour.
Class II Electric Bicycle means a device with the following components:
A. Two. Three, or four wheels;
B. A saddle or seat for the rider;
C. Fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power; and
D. An electric motor:
ORDINANCE NO. 10,081 (Cont.)
a. Not exceeding seven hundred fifty watts of power;
b. That produces no more than one brake horsepower;
c. Capable of propelling the bicycle at a maximum design speed of no more than twenty
miles per hour on level ground;
d. Capable of providing power whether or not the rider is pedaling; and
e. That does not provide power if the electric bicycle is traveling at a speed of more than
twenty miles per hour.
Class III Electric Bicycle means a device with the following components:
A. Two, three, or four wheels;
B. A saddle or seat for the rider;
C. Fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power; and
D. An electric motor:
a. Not exceeding seven hundred fifty watts of power;
b. That produces no more than one brake horsepower;
c. Capable of propelling the bicycle at a maximum design speed of no more than twenty-
eight miles per hour on level ground;
d. That only provides power when the rider is pedaling; and
e. That does not provide power if the electric bicycle is traveling at a speed of more than
twenty-eight miles per .hour.
Congested District shall include that portion of the City within the following bounds: South
Front Street from Oak Street to Walnut Street; Third Street from the Burlington Northern-Sante
Fe Railroad Company right-of-way to Eddy Street; Second Street from the Burlington Northern-
Sante Fe Railroad Company right-of-way to Elm Street;First Street from Sycamore Street to Cedar
Street; Fourth Street from Eddy Street east to Sycamore Street; Oak Street from Second Street to
Fourth Street; Kimball Avenue from Second Street to South Front Street; Sycamore Street from
First Street to Fourth Street;Pine Street from Court Street to Sixth Street;Locust Street from South
Front Street to Charles Street; Wheeler Avenue from South Front Street to Koenig Street; Walnut
Street from First Street to Fifth Street; Cedar Street from First Street to South Front Street; Elm
Street from Second Street to Fourth Street; Cleburn Street from Second Street to Fourth Street;
and Eddy Street from Second Street to Fourth Street.
Crosswalk shall mean:
A. That part of a roadway at an intersection included within the connections of the lateral
lines of the sidewalks on opposite sides of the roadway measured from the curbs, or in the absence
of curbs from the edge of the roadway; or
ORDINANCE NO. 10,081 (Cont.)
B. Any portion of a roadway at an intersection or elsewhere distinctly designated by
competent authority and marked for pedestrian crossing by lines, signs, or other devices.
Curb shall mean the lateral boundaries of that portion of a street designed for the use of
vehicles, whether marked by curb stones or not so marked.
Drive shall mean to operate or be in the actual physical control of a motor vehicle.
Driver or operator shall mean any person who drives or is in actual physical control of a
vehicle.
Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device shall mean a self-balancing, two-nontandem-
wheeled device, designed to transport only one person and containing an electric propulsion
system with an average power of seven hundred fifty watts or one horsepower, whose maximum
speed on a paved level surface,when powered solely by such a propulsion system and while being
ridden by an operator who weighs one hundred seventy pounds, is less than twenty miles per hour.
Electric Bicycle ("E-bike") shall mean a Class I Electric Bicycle, a Class II Electric Bicycle,
and a Class III Electric Bicycle.
Golf Car Vehicle shall mean a vehicle that has at least four wheels, has a maximum level
ground speed of less than twenty miles per hour,has a maximum payload capacity of one thousand
two hundred pounds, has a maximum gross vehicle weight of two thousand five hundred pounds,
has a maximum passenger capacity of not more than four persons, is designed and manufactured
for operation on a golf course for sporting ad recreational purposes, and is not being operated
within the boundaries of a golf course.
Hoverboard shall mean a self-balancing single or double wheel electronic board scooter or
electric skateboard.
Intersection or street intersection shall mean the area embraced within the prolongation or
connection of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of
two or more highways which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles, or the area
which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.
Where a highway includes two roadways 30 feet or more apart, then every crossing of each
roadway of such divided highway by an intersecting highway shall be regarded as a separate
intersection. In the event such intersecting highway also includes two roadways 30 feet or more
apart, then every crossing of two roadways of such highways shall be regarded as a separate
intersection. The junction of any alley with a street shall not constitute an intersection.
Lightweight E-Scooter shall mean a device propelled by an electronic or gas motor, having a
stand on deck, with handlebars, and two to three wheels that are 12" or smaller.
Low-Speed Vehicle shall mean:
A. A four-wheeled motor vehicle
a. Whose speed attainable in one mile is more than twenty miles per hour and not more
than twenty-five miles per hour on a paved, level surface;
ORDINANCE NO. 10,081 (Cont.)
b. Whose gross vehicle weight rating is less than three thousand pounds; and
c. That complies with 49 C.F.R. part 571, as such part existed on January 1, 2023; or
B. A three-wheeled motor vehicle
a. Whose maximum speed attainable is not more than twenty-five miles per hour on a
paved, level surface;
b. Whose gross vehicle weight rating is less than three thousand pounds; and
c. Which is equipped with a windshield and an occupant protection system. A motorcycle
with a sidecar attached is not a low-speed vehicle.
Median shall mean that part of a divided street or highway, such as a physical barrier or clearly
indicated dividing section or space, so constructed as to impede vehicular traffic across or within
such barrier, section, or space, or to divide such highway or street into two roadways for vehicular
travel in opposite directions.
Median Crossover shall mean a connection between roadways of a divided highway or street
the use of which may permit a vehicle to reverse its direction by continuously moving forward.
Median Opening shall mean a gap in a median provided for crossing and turning traffic.
Minibike shall mean a two-wheel motor vehicle which has a total wheel and tire diameter of
less than fourteen inches or an engine-rated capacity of less than forty-five cubic centimeters
displacement, a seat height less than twenty-five inches from the ground or any other two-wheel
motor vehicle primarily designed by the manufacturer for off-road use only. Minibike shall not
include an electric personal assistive mobility device.
Minitruck shall mean a foreign-manufactured import vehicle or domestic-manufactured
vehicle which:
A. Is powered by an internal combustion engine with a piston or rotor displacement of one
thousand five hundred cubic centimeters or less;
B. Is sixty-seven inches or less in width;
C. Has a dry weight of four thousand two hundred pounds or less;
D. Travels on four or more tires;
E. Has a top speed of approximately fifty-five miles per hour;
F. Is equipped with a bed or compartment for hauling;
G. Has an enclosed passenger cab;
H. Is equipped with headlights,taillights,turn signals,windshield wipers,a rearview mirror,
and an occupant protection system; and
I. Has a four-speed, five-speed, or automatic transmission.
ORDINANCE NO. 10,081 (Cont.)
Moped shall mean a device with fully operative pedals for propulsion by human power, an
automatic transmission and a motor with a cylinder capacity not exceeding fifty cubic centimeters
which produces no more than two brake horsepower and is capable of propelling the device at a
maximum design speed of no more than thirty (30) miles per hour.
Motorcycle shall mean every motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and
designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground,excluding tractors and
electric personal assistive mobility devices. Motorcycle includes an autocycle.
Motor-driven Cycle shall mean every motorcycle, including every motor scooter,with a motor
which produces not to exceed five brake horsepower as measured at the drive shaft, mopeds, and
every bicycle with a motor attached except for an electric bicycle. Motor-driven cycle shall not
include an electric personal assistive mobility device or an autocycle.
Motor Vehicle shall mean every self-propelled land vehicle, not operated on rails, except
bicycles, mopeds or self-propelled chairs used by persons who are disabled, and electric personal
assistive mobility devices.
Official Traffic Signals shall mean all signals not inconsistent with this chapter, placed or
erected by authority of the city council or official having authority for the purpose of directing,
warning, or regulating traffic.
One-Way Street shall mean a street designated as such by the city council upon which vehicle
traffic shall move in one direction.
Operator or Driver shall mean any person who operates,drives,or is in actual physical control
of a vehicle.
Operator's or Driver's License shall mean any license or permit to operate a motor vehicle
issued under the laws of this State, including:
A. Any replacement license or instruction permit;
B. The privilege of any person to drive a motor vehicle whether such person holds a valid
license;
C. Any nonresident's operating privilege which shall mean the privilege conferred upon a
nonresident by the laws of this state pertaining to the operation of a motor vehicle in this state by
such person or the use in this state of a vehicle owned by such person;
D. An employment driving permit issued as provided by Neb. Rev. Stat. §§60-4,129 and
60-4,130; and
E. A medical hardship driving permit issued as provided in Neb. Rev. Stat. §§60-4,130.01
and 60-4,130.02.
Owner shall mean, with respect to a vehicle, a person, other than a person holding a security
interest, having the property in or title to a vehicle, including a person entitled to the use and
ORDINANCE NO. 10,081 (Cont.)
possession of a vehicle subject to a security interest in another person,but excluding a lessee under
a lease not intended as security.
Park or Parking shall mean the standing of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, upon a street
or alley,otherwise than in obedience to traffic regulations or a traffic control device or temporarily
for the purpose of and while actually engaged in loading or unloading of merchandise or
passengers.
Pedestrian shall mean any person afoot.
Person shall mean every natural person, firm,partnership, association, or corporation.
Police Officer or Traffic Officer shall mean every officer of the Grand Island Police
Department, or any officer authorized to direct or regulate traffic or make arrests for the violation
of traffic regulations.
Private Road or Driveway shall mean every way or place in private ownership and for
vehicular travel by the owner or those having express or implied permission from the owner but
not by other persons.
Railroad shall mean a carrier of persons or property upon cars, other than streetcars, operated
upon stationary rails.
Railroad Sign or Signal shall mean any sign, signal, or device erected by authority of a public
body or official or by a railroad intended to give notice of the presence of railroad tracks or the
approach of a railroad train.
Registration shall mean the registration certificate or certificates and license plates issued
under the Nebraska Motor Vehicle Registration Act.
Right-of-Way shall mean the right of one vehicle or pedestrian to proceed in a lawful manner
in preference to another vehicle or pedestrian approaching under such circumstances of direction,
speed, and proximity as to give rise to danger of collision unless one grants precedence to the
other.
Roadway shall mean that portion of a street or highway improved,designed, or ordinarily used
for vehicular travel, exclusive of the berm or shoulder. If a highway includes two or more separate
roadways,the term roadway shall refer to any such roadway separately but not to all such roadways
collectively.
Safety Zone shall mean the area or space officially set apart within a street for the exclusive
use of pedestrians, and which is protected or is so marked or indicated by adequate signs as to be
plainly visible at all times while set apart as a safety zone.
School Crossing Zone shall mean the area of a roadway designated by the City as a school
crossing zone through the use of a sign or traffic control device as specified by the City in
conformity with the regulations of the Nebraska Department of Transportation but does not include
any area of a freeway.A school crossing zone starts at the location of the first sign or traffic control
ORDINANCE NO. 10,081 (Cont.)
device identifying the school crossing zone and continues until a sign or traffic control device
indicates that the school crossing zone has ended.
Security Interest shall mean an equitable title or property right in a vehicle reserved or created
by agreement and which secures payment or performance of an obligation, including the interest
of a lessor under a lease intended as security, and which is perfected when it is valid against third
parties generally, subject only to specific statutory exceptions.
Semitrailer shall mean any vehicle, with or without motive power, designed to carry persons
or property and to be drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that some part of its weight and
that of its load rests upon or is carried by another vehicle.
Shoulder shall mean that part of the highway contiguous to the roadway and designed for the
accommodation of stopped vehicles, for emergency use, and for lateral support of the base and
surface courses of the roadway.
Sidewalk shall mean that portion of the sidewalk space intended for use by pedestrians or any
pathway or route intended for use by pedestrians.
Sidewalk Space shall mean that portion of a street between the curb lines, or the lateral lines of
a roadway, and the adjacent property lines intended for use by pedestrians.
Snowmobile shall mean a self-propelled motor vehicle designed to travel on snow or ice or a
natural terrain steered by wheels, skis, or runners and propelled by a belt-driven track with or
without steel cleats.
Stand or Standing shall mean the halting of a vehicle, whether occupied or not, other than
temporarily for the purpose of and while actually engaged in receiving or discharging passengers.
Stop or Stopping shall mean:
A. When required, a complete cessation of movement.
B. Stop or stopping,when prohibited,shall mean any halting even momentarily of a vehicle,
whether occupied or not, except when necessary to avoid conflict with other traffic or in
compliance with the directions of a peace officer or traffic control device.
Street or Highway shall mean the entire width between the boundary limits of any street, road,
avenue, boulevard or way which is publicly maintained when any part thereof is open to the use
of the public for purposes of vehicular travel.
Traffic shall mean pedestrians, ridden or herded animals, and vehicles and other conveyances,
either singly or together, while using any street or highway for purposes of travel.
Traffic Control Device shall mean any sign, signal, marking or other device placed or erected
by authority of the City of Grand Island, the County of Hall, the State of Nebraska, or the United
States of America for the purpose of regulating, warning, or guiding traffic.
Traffic Control Signal shall mean any signal, whether manually, electrically, or mechanically
operated,by which traffic is alternately directed to stop and permitted to proceed.
ORDINANCE NO. 10,081 (Cont.)
Tragic Lane shall mean that portion of a street designated by the city council as a path, track,
or passageway within which vehicular traffic shall move.
Trailer shall mean any vehicle with or without motive power designed for carrying persons or
property and for being drawn by a motor vehicle and so constructed that no part of its weight rests
upon the towing vehicle.
Truck shall mean any motor vehicle designed, used, or maintained primarily for the
transportation of property.
Truck-tractor shall mean any motor vehicle designed and primarily used for drawing other
vehicles and not so constructed as to carry a load other than a part of the weight of the vehicle and
load so drawn.
Vehicle shall mean every device in, upon, or by which any person or property is or may be
transported or drawn upon a highway, excepting devices moved solely by human power or used
exclusively upon stationary rails or tracks.
Viaduct shall mean a bridge-like structure carrying highway or street over another highway or
street or over railroad tracks.
All words and phrases not defined herein shall have ascribed to them the definition set forth in
Chapter, 60 Article 6, Revised Statutes of Nebraska, as amended.
22-2 Reserved
22-3 Reserved
22-4 Chief Of Police; Powers And Duties
It shall be the duty of the Chief of Police to coordinate traffic activities,to carry on educational
activities in traffic matters,to supervise the preparation and publication of traffic reports,to receive
complaints having to do with traffic matters,and to recommend to the mayor and city council ways
and means for improving traffic conditions and the administration and enforcement of traffic
regulations.
22-7 Traffic Records
The Grand Island Police Department shall maintain a record of all violations of traffic laws
and all traffic accident reports. Such records and reports shall be held for a period of ten years,
after which they may be destroyed at the direction of the chief of police.
22-31 Lightweight E-Scooter, Electric Bicycle ("E-Bike") and Hoverboard usage on
public property.
A. No person shall ride a lightweight e-scooter, e-bike, or hoverboard upon a roadway on
which the posted speed limit is greater than 25 miles per hour. Any person riding a
lightweight e-scooter,e-bike,or one-wheeled scooter may cross such roadways at a marked
intersection.
ORDINANCE NO. 10,081 (Cont.)
B. No person shall ride a lightweight e-scooter, e-bike, or hoverboard upon Pt Street from
Broadwell to Public Safety Drive and 2nd Street from Broadwell to Public Safety Drive.
Any person riding a lightweight e-scooter,e-bike,or hoverboard may cross 1st or 2nd Streets
at a marked intersection.
C. Any person riding a lightweight e-scooter, e-bike, or hoverboard shall not ride upon a
sidewalk within the Congested District. Any such person is permitted to carry or walk
alongside such lightweight e-scooter, e-bike,or hoverboard on the sidewalks located in the
Congested District.
D. It shall be lawful for any person to operate an e-scooter, e-bike, or hoverboard on hike and
bike trails as regulated in Grand Island City Code §24-3, unless such activity is expressly
prohibited by posted signage. Any person riding on such hike and bike trail must travel at
a speed deemed safe and reasonable.
E. Every person riding a lightweight e-scooter, e-bike, or a hoverboard upon a roadway shall
be granted all of the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to vehicles or by
this Code or other traffic ordinances of this City applicable to the driver of a vehicle,except
as to special regulations in this section and as to those provisions of laws and ordinances
which by their nature can have no application.
F. Any person operating a lightweight e-scooter, e-bike, or a hoverboard shall obey the
instruction of official traffic control signals, signs, and other control devices applicable to
vehicles,unless otherwise directed by a Police Officer.
G. Any person operating an e-scooter, e-bike, or hoverboard upon a street shall clearly signal
their intention for turning left and right by utilizing hand signals.
H. Any lightweight e-scooter, e-bike, or hoverboard being ridden at nighttime shall be
equipped with a light on the front which shall emit a white light visible from a distance of
at least five hundred (500) feet to the front on a clear night and with a red reflector on the
rear which shall be visible on a clear night from all distances between one hundred (100)
feet and six hundred (600) feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful lower beams of
headlights on a motor vehicle. A light emitting a red light visible from a distance of five
(500) feet to the rear may be used in addition to such red reflector.
I. When riding a lightweight e-scooter, e-bike, or hoverboard on a sidewalk, hike and bike
trail, or other pedestrian walkway, the user shall yield the right of way to all pedestrians
and give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian. When three or
more lightweight e-scooters, e-bikes, and/or hoverboards ride in a group, such group must
proceed in single file so as to not impede others.
J. The operator of a lightweight e-scooter, e-bike, or hoverboard emerging from an alley,
driveway, or building, shall upon approaching a sidewalk or the sidewalk area extending
across any alleyway, yield the right of way to all pedestrians approaching on the sidewalk
or sidewalk area, and upon entering the roadway shall yield th right of way to all vehicles
approaching on the roadway.
K. Any person operating an Electric Personal Assistive Mobility Device is exempt from the
provision of this section. This exemption applies to devices designed primarily for
individuals with mobility impairments and operated in accordance with applicable state
and federal accessibility laws and regulations.
ORDINANCE NO. 10,081 (Cont.)
L. Penalties for violation of this section shall be found on the City's Waiver Fine Schedule,
duly adopted by the City Council.
M. A Police Officer apprehending a person for violating this section may impound the
lightweight e-scooter or hoverboard, and a Court may order it to be sold by the City of
Grand Island or destroyed.
SECTION 2. Any ordinance or parts of ordinances in conflict herewith be, and hereby are,
repealed.
SECTION 3. This ordinance shall be in force and take effect after its passage and publication,
in one issue of the Grand Island Independent as provided by law.
Enacted: June 23, 2026
Roger G. Steele, Mayor
Attest:
9/1-/ GKi01 C,,RANr.
Jill Granere, City Clerk GkR,PORgr�'•=.•r Yy
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