Proposal could curb motorized bike access in Mount Pleasant
Commission looks at updates to bicycle rules, 2026 capital improvement plan
Outside of Mount Pleasant City Hall where City Commissions meetings are held.
Mount Pleasant City Commissioners discussed motorized bikes on city-owned trails, as well as the 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan, during their Monday meeting.
Under a draft ordinance introduced this week, motorized bicycles may be prohibited from accessing some city trails. It's an update that municipal officials said brings the community more in-line with state park regulations and improve trail safety for other, non-motorized users.
The 2026-2031 Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), presented by Finance Director Lauren Pavlowski, included an overview of 2026 projects, by the department.
The plan for 2026 includes:
- About $1.5 million for retaining wall, window and door replacement for City Hall.
- Just shy of $3 million earmarked for work at city parks, such as improvements to the Chippewa riverbanks, accessible playground equipment, and renovations to park roads, lots and trails, among others
- $329,000 in public works projects, including sidewalk replacement and storm sewer collection system improvements
- About $3.4 million for runway rehabilitation and snow removal equipment at the airport
- $2.1 million in major street resurfacing and reconstruction
- $586,000 for residential water works and
- $797,000 in improvements to the water recovery plant, including facility improvements, meter replacement and reconstruction
Several of the projects are expected to be ongoing past 2026, according to city documentation.
Motorized bikes and scooters usage in the city
Paul Lauria, the Director of Public Safety/Chief of Police, presented a draft ordinance on the usage of motorized bikes and scooters on city-owned trails. The proposal tightens the reins on where electronic bicycles -- those that have a motor of up to 750 watts -- may go.
"As Commissioner Persbacher had previously pointed out, it's in line with what state parks have," Mayor Boomer Wingard said. "One thing I liked about how it was worded it seemed like it was easy enough that if we found, like, five years from now, that they're running amok and everything, we could easily substitute language to adjust and tailor down if we wanted to put additional restrictions."
Under the proposal, the city breaks e-bikes into three categories:
Class 1 electric bikes have an electric motor that kick in when the rider is pedaling can reach speeds of up to 20 miles per hour.
2. Class 2 electric bicycles have electric motor that runs whether the rider is pedaling or not and reaches a speed of 20 miles per hour.
3. Class 3 electric bikes have a motor that kicks on when the rider is pedaling, but can travel at up to 28 miles per hour.
The proposed ordinance says only bicycles and class 1 electric bikes may ride on paved city trails, and only people-powered bikes are permitted on non-motorized, natural trails. It also lays out standards related to personal safety, lighting and riding on sidewalks, among others.
If approved, riders in violation of the ordinance could be fined up to $50.
“I think we need some signage that would be ‘slow down, there are pedestrians, ’ some version of that,” Commissioner Mary Alsager said.
Alsager also recommended an increase in signs along trails and at entrances to make riders aware of bike limitations.
City Commission will next meet for its regular meeting at 7 p.m. May 13 in City Hall.
