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Committee Recommends Council Update Micromobility Ordinances to Legalize E‑scooters in Bike Lanes and Clarify Sidewalk Rules
Summary
PEDE voted to recommend that city council adopt ordinance changes to allow micromobility devices in bike lanes and clarify where different devices may operate; staff will present the ordinance to council in August or September after communications and coordination with APD.
Hailey (transportation staff) presented a micromobility ordinance refresh that would change local rules to permit most micromobility devices in bike lanes and clarify whether various devices may be ridden on sidewalks, greenways and streets. The changes stem from a council resolution in October 2023 asking staff to prepare ordinance amendments permitting personal transportation modes in bike lanes and other locations.
Under the proposed language, human‑powered micromobility (for example, push scooters and roller skates) would be allowed on sidewalks, including sidewalks in business districts; electric self‑propelled devices (e‑scooters, e‑skateboards, one‑wheels) would be allowed in bike lanes and on many local streets but not on sidewalks because state law defines some of those devices as vehicles. Greenways would be explicitly listed as allowable for all micromobility devices in the draft language. Hailey noted the proposal is constrained in places by state statutory definitions that treat wheelchairs as pedestrians and set limits on vehicle presence on sidewalks.
Hailey described dismount zones as a monitoring tool — signage and markings that ask riders to walk their devices in narrow, high‑pedestrian areas — and said staff are not currently designating any dismount zones but would monitor downtown and Haywood Road for conflicts.
After the presentation, a committee member moved “to recommend to council to adopt a resolution to repeal sections 19‑1, 19‑6, 19‑7, 19‑14 and replace with the language represented in the accompanying staff report.” The motion was seconded and the committee approved the recommendation to forward the ordinance to council (committee roll‑call recorded aye votes). Staff said the proposed ordinance will be scheduled for a council adoption vote in August or September and that communications, a new web page, FAQs and coordination with Asheville Police Department are planned as next steps.
