When you are using the trails, please keep the following West Des Moines Trail Ethics in mind:

• Plan ahead - Know your equipment, your ability, and the area.
• Stay on the trail - Respect trail and road closures.  Do not trespass on private land.
• Always yield - Travel on the right and pass on the left.  Make your approach known well in advance.  A friendly greeting or a bell works well.
• Safety first - Always wear a helmet and appropriate safety gear.
• Never spook animals - Give animals extra room and time to adjust to you. 
• Rest off the trail - Get completely off the trail to stop and rest or check equipment.
• Leave no trace - If you pack it in, pack it out.  Please use the trash barrels provided along the trail.
• Control pets at all times - Use a leash not more than 10' long.  Please remove any droppings your pet may leave.
• Leave what you find - Treat our natural areas with respect.  Leave trees, plants, rocks, nests, and historical artifacts as you find them. 
• Let nature's sound prevail - keep loud voices and noises to a minimum.
• Be visible - At night, wear white or reflective clothes, bikes should have lights and reflectors on the front and rear, as well as the wheel spokes. 

Do your part to promote environmentally sound, safe, and socially responsible use of the West Des Moines Trails.

Device	City Code Definition	State Code Definition	Photo	Operation allowed on City trails/sidewalks?
Bicycle	A device having up to four (4) wheels and having at least one saddle or seat for the use of a rider which is propelled by human power. (City Code §6-11-2)	A device having two or three wheels and having at least one saddle or seat for the use of a rider which is propelled by human power. (I.C. §321.1(40)(c) – definition) (I.C. §321.234 – regulations)		Yes
Electric Bicycle	A device having up to four (4) wheels with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of one horsepower or less. (“low-speed electric bicycle”) (City Code §6-11-2)	A device having a saddle or seat for the use of a rider, two or three wheels equipped with fully operable pedals, and an electric motor of less than seven hundred fifty watts that meets the requirements of one of the following classes: A low-speed electric bicycle. -Class 1: provides assistance only when rider is pedaling; max speed 20 mph -Class 2: provides assistance without pedaling; max speed 20 mph -Class 3: provides assistance only when rider is pedaling; max speed 28 mph (I.C. §321.1(36A) - definition) (I.C. §321.235B – regulations)		Yes
Motorized Bicycle	Not applicable	Motor vehicle having a saddle or seat for the use of a rider, designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, and not capable of operating at a speed in excess of thirty-nine miles per hour on level ground unassisted by human power, but excluding a low-speed electric bicycle. (I.C. §321.1(40)(b))		No

Bicycle

• Human-powered only.
• Can be used upon any sidewalks (except in business districts or where prohibited), any street, any multi-use trail, or on grass areas of parks/open space.

Electric Bicycle (includes Low-Speed Electric Bicycle)

• Motor:
  • 1 horsepower or less - City Code
  • Less than 750 watts - State Code
• Low Speed Electric Bicycle has 3 classes under State Code definitions – the class depends on whether the rider is pedaling and the maximum speed of the bicycle.
• Can currently be used upon any sidewalks (except in business districts or where prohibited), any street, any multi-use trail, or on grass areas of parks/open space (because not specifically prohibited). 

  Electric bicycles are permitted on City of West Des Moines trails, provided the following are true:

  • Under 750 watts (1 HP)
  • Must have pedals
  • Speed does not exceed 20 mph

Motorized Bicycle

• “Motor Vehicle”
• Not specifically defined in City Code.
• Exceeding 750 watts in power but can’t exceed 39 mph is defined as “Motorized Bicycle” in the Iowa Code.
• Must be operated on a public street (cannot be operated on a sidewalk or trail).
• Require a license to operate. Required to be registered in the same manner.
• Must follow all applicable rules/regulations as for a motor vehicle.

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