Provo TMAC urges code cleanup, education after months-long micromobility debate

Provo’s Transportation Mobility Committee met Aug. 21 to review the city’s micromobility ordinance, identify internal inconsistencies and gaps with state law, and direct staff and committee members to prepare proposed code changes and an education plan.

The discussion focused on public safety, enforceability and clarity. TMAC Chair Beth Provence said she did not support an outright ban on micromobility devices and instead favored “active management” and clearer rules. The committee agreed to collect written recommendations from members by Sept. 5 and return the item to a future agenda for drafting ordinance language.

Provence summarized the conflicts TMAC found in the city draft: one local provision restricts sidewalk speeds to 10 miles per hour while another provision appears to ban micromobility devices on sidewalks in certain areas; a separate section would restrict rental operators unless they contract with the city in a way that could unintentionally prohibit ordinary in-person bicycle rentals; and the map-based downtown boundary (cited as 400 North) is outdated and inconsistent with current downtown zoning. “I would not recommend banning micromobility,” Provence said, noting the…