Jefferson City Council approves bans on minibikes, stunt driving | Jefferson City News-Tribune

Minibikes and burnout-filled street stunts could soon come with a hefty fine in Jefferson City after the City Council voted Monday to outlaw both on city streets. Council members voted 8-1 to approve an ordinance prohibiting minibikes within city limits and 9-0 to approve a separate ordinance targeting stunt driving. Ordinances in Jefferson City take effect after the mayor signs them, which typically occurs within two weeks of a council meeting, according to city Public Information Coordinator Molly Bryan. The minibike ordinance defines a minibike as a two-wheeled motorized vehicle that is not registered for street use with the Missouri Department of Revenue. The definition excludes electric bicycles, electric scooters and mopeds. Under the ordinance, operating a minibike on a city street carries a $75 fine for a first offense and a $150 fine for second and subsequent offenses. The measure also establishes a noise limit for minibikes operated on private property within city limits. Noise levels may not exceed 78 decibels, roughly equivalent to the sound of an orchestra performing in a small auditorium, according to Yale University's decibel-level comparison chart. Ward 5 Councilwoman Mackenzie Job was the only "no" vote for this bill. Earlier this month, she said she was concerned the ordinance could affect residents who rely on minibikes for transportation. The council also unanimously approved a separate ordinance banning stunt driving and street takeovers. Although stunt driving is already illegal under Missouri law, Nathan Nickolaus of Lauber Municipal Law, the firm serving as interim city attorney, said a city ordinance gives police officers more flexibility in handling violations. "Sometimes it may be desirable to charge someone in municipal court, where the penalties are lower rather than in state court with its higher penalties. So most vehicular ordinances have a state version and a city version," Nickolaus said. Under the new ordinance, stunt driving and street takeovers carry a $100 fine for a first offense, a $200 fine for a second offense and a $400 fine for a third or subsequent offense. A third or subsequent violation may also be charged as a Class E felony.