Beverly Hills residents will get a chance to weigh in on proposed rules for e-bikes and e-motos at a public hearing Tuesday, Sept. 15.
The Beverly Hills Village Council scheduled the hearing on proposed Ordinance No. 396, which would regulate electric bicycles, e-motos, electric skateboards and mopeds on village roads, sidewalks, bikeways and parks. The hearing begins at 7 p.m. at the Village Office, 18500 W. 13 Mile Road, according to a notice posted on the village's website.
The hearing comes about one week after two 13-year-old boys were critically injured in an e-moto crash at Telegraph Road and Hickory Grove in neighboring Bloomfield Township. WXYZ reported the boys were riding together on a single e-moto when they collided with a Ford F-250 on Sept. 7.
Bloomfield Township Supervisor Mike McCready told WXYZ on Sept. 8 that he would push for a moratorium on e-motos in his township. "(State legislators) need to move swiftly on creating some state laws … And in the meantime, I'm going to push for a moratorium in the township," McCready said.
Beverly Hills is taking a different path. Its draft ordinance sets age minimums and speed limits rather than an outright ban.
What the draft ordinance says
The draft of Ordinance No. 396 spells out rules by device type:
- E-moto operators must be at least 15 years old to ride on public roads.
- Class 3 e-bike operators must be at least 14.
- Electric skateboard and scooter operators must be at least 12.
- Helmets are required for all Class 1 and Class 2 e-bike, e-moto, moped, electric skateboard and motorcycle operators and passengers under 19. E-moto helmets must be approved by the Michigan Department of State Police.
- Class 3 e-bikes and e-motos are banned from sidewalks, bikeways and village parks unless village signage specifically allows them.
- Speed on sidewalks and bikeways is capped at 10 mph for Class 1 and Class 2 e-bikes and electric skateboards.
- Class 3 e-bikes are limited to 28 mph on permitted surfaces while using motor assistance.
The ordinance defines an e-moto as a two- or three-wheeled device powered in whole or in part by an electric motor, with handlebars and a seat, but without fully operable pedals. Under current Michigan law, e-motos are treated more like mopeds and require a driver's license with a cycle endorsement.
The draft also bans cruising through village parks on e-bikes, e-motos, motorcycles, mini-bikes and mopeds. All such vehicles must have their motors shut off when parked in a park.
Parents who knowingly let a minor violate the ordinance could face penalties. Violations would be treated as municipal civil infractions.
The village can also restrict or ban electric devices on unpaved trails, nature areas and environmentally sensitive locations through posted signage.
What's next
The Bloomfield Township Board of Trustees is scheduled to discuss its own e-moto response at a meeting Monday, Sept. 14. Beverly Hills' public hearing follows the next evening.
Residents who want to comment can attend the hearing at the Village Office or review the full text of proposed Ordinance No. 396 on the Village of Beverly Hills website.
