Council bans electric personal vehicles from sidewalks, restricts non-motorized devices uptown; ordinance passes after public comment

The Summit Common Council adopted an ordinance adding two new sections to chapter 3 of the city code to regulate personal transportation devices. The new rules ban electric bikes and electric scooters from sidewalks and pedestrian pathways citywide and prohibit non-motorized devices such as skateboards, bicycles and rollerblades on sidewalks within the downtown business district.

Councilman Matt Boyer introduced the ordinance and said the intent is to balance the mobility benefits of emerging personal-transportation devices with pedestrian safety in high-foot-traffic areas. He noted complaints from merchants and residents about unsafe sidewalk speeds and near collisions in the downtown core.

Public reaction: Multiple speakers urged the council to prioritize protected bike lanes and improved street infrastructure rather than prohibitions. Several residents said they rely on scooters or bicycles to run errands because local streets are narrow or carry fast-moving vehicular traffic. Other speakers endorsed the regulation for the downtown district to protect pedestrians, particularly small children.

Council comments and implementation: Council members and staff noted street jurisdiction issues: some candidate routes for bike lanes are county roads and would require county coordination. The police and public-works department were directed to prepare education and enforcement plans; council members discussed school-based safety programs and outreach to encourage helmet use and safe riding habits.

Outcome: The ordinance passed on final vote and will be enforced by the Summit Police Department; the council asked staff to explore engineering options for protected lanes on city-controlled streets and to pursue county cooperation where appropriate.