Port Huron officials are taking the first steps toward banning motorized e-bikes and scooters from city sidewalks. City Manager James Freed notified the Mayor and City Council this week via email that an ordinance amendment will be placed for a first reading on the next meeting’s agenda. The change would officially prohibit electric bicycles, electric scooters, and mopeds from being operated under motor power on any city sidewalk. While these devices can still be present on the sidewalk, the proposed rules state they must be used in human-powered mode, meaning the rider must be pedaling or pushing manually without the motor engaged.
The proposed changes also establish the first specific “rules of the road” for traditional bicycles on city sidewalks. Under the new section of the ordinance, a 15-mile-per-hour speed limit would be set for all bicycles on a sidewalk. Cyclists would also be legally required to yield the right-of-way to pedestrians, travel on the right-hand side of the path, and provide an audible signal before overtaking and passing someone on foot.
Freed noted that the ordinance is a direct response to significant public feedback gathered over several years. As the popularity of electric transportation has increased, so have the calls for clearer regulations to protect pedestrians and maintain safety on public walkways. The ordinance specifically clarifies that these new restrictions do not apply to motorized wheelchairs or other mobility aids used by those with mobility impairments. If approved by City Council, any violations of these new rules would be treated as municipal civil infractions.
