South Lyon, MI — Electric bicycles are no longer a novelty. They are everywhere — on neighborhood streets, regional trail systems, and downtown corridors. And as their popularity continues to climb, local governments are being forced to draw clear lines between mobility and safety.
The City of South Lyon has now joined a growing list of Michigan municipalities updating their ordinances to address the rapid increase in e-bike use. City Council adopted Ordinance No. 02-26 earlier this month, significantly amending city code sections dealing with parks, trails and traffic laws. The focus is clear: regulate electric bicycles before usage outpaces enforcement.
At the center of the new ordinance is a 15 mph speed cap on trailways. Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles are permitted on linear trails that have asphalt, crushed limestone or similar hard surfaces. However, all e-bike riders must yield to pedestrians and other human-powered traffic. That includes traditional bicycles.
City officials also reinforced a key restriction that many riders either overlook or misunderstand. Electric bicycles are prohibited from being ridden on sidewalks, consistent with the Michigan Vehicle Code. Riders are required to obey all traffic control signals and stop signs, just as motor vehicle drivers must.
Class 3 electric bicycles — the higher-speed category capable of pedal assist up to 28 mph — face additional guardrails. Operators must be at least 14 years old. Riders under 18 must wear a properly fitted helmet. And while they are allowed on certain trails, they are subject to the same 15 mph trail speed limit as other electric classes.
One of the most notable provisions in the ordinance is the outright prohibition of electric bicycles in the city’s downtown district and historic district. The downtown area, defined near the CSX railroad tracks and along the Lafayette Street corridor, is off limits. The historic district surrounding McHattie Park, the Witch’s Hat Depot Museum, the Little Village Chapel, the Freight House and the Victorian Gazebo is also included in the ban.
This is not simply a reduced speed zone. It is a full restriction on e-bike operation within those designated areas.
Electric scooters and electric skateboards are permitted on paved linear trails but are also capped at 15 mph and must yield to pedestrians. Dirt bikes remain prohibited in city parks and on trailways. Golf carts may not operate on trails unless specifically authorized by the city.
Across Michigan, similar debates are unfolding. E-bikes provide accessibility for older riders and commuters. They reduce car dependency and expand recreational access. But they also introduce motor-assisted speed into spaces originally designed for foot traffic and pedal-only bicycles.
Municipal leaders statewide are confronting the same questions: How fast is too fast on a shared trail? Should downtown districts remain pedestrian-priority zones? At what point does motor assistance begin to resemble a vehicle rather than a bicycle?
South Lyon’s ordinance reflects a broader pattern emerging across suburban communities. Allow e-bikes on paved trails. Prohibit them in dense pedestrian cores. Impose enforceable speed caps. Align local definitions with state classifications.
Most violations under the ordinance are treated as civil infractions, though certain e-bike violations can rise to misdemeanor level.
The growth of electric bicycles shows no signs of slowing. What municipalities like South Lyon are signaling is that expansion will not come without structure.
For riders, the message is straightforward. Know your classification. Watch your speed. Respect pedestrian zones. And understand that as electric mobility expands, local oversight is expanding with it.
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