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Marquette residents urge inclusion of Onewheel riders as city formulates e-bike rules
Summary
At the July 28 Marquette City Commission meeting, public commenters and several commissioners urged the commission to include Onewheel riders in a newly formed e-bike rulemaking effort, citing safety, event success and tourism benefits; staff said transportation planning is underway and the issue will be discussed further.
The Marquette City Commission on July 28 heard public comment urging the city to include Onewheel riders in a newly formed advisory process to write rules for electronic bicycles and similar devices.
Resident Margaret (address given during comment as 404 East Magnetic Street) told commissioners she supports the commission established to examine e-bike rules and asked that the commission appoint a rider, Zach Youngs, to represent the “one wheel” community. "I am in favor of this commission," she said, adding that the city missed “a boat” by not including experienced local riders earlier.
Zach Youngs, who identified himself as Marquette Onewheel, described his group’s large, low‑incident rides and argued for a regulatory approach that treats Onewheels consistently with other small personal mobility devices. "I was following state law because state law says 1 wheels are non motorized devices," Youngs said, describing the Marquette Fresh Ghost float — a recent community ride he helped coordinate — that drew a record 50 participants during a busy tourism weekend.
Why it matters: commissioners and staff framed the issue as a mix of public safety, enforcement and inclusion of new transportation modes. Supporters said clearer rules and better outreach could reduce risky behavior while preserving recreational and tourism benefits.
Commissioner Davis expressed direct support for Youngs' engagement with city planning, saying, "I just wanna say thank you, Zach." Commissioner Ottaway and Commissioner Larson also urged the commission to examine how other communities manage e-bikes and similar devices. The city manager told the commission staff is already working on transportation planning with a consultant and is discussing ways to "incorporate all modes of transportation and safe transportation as well." The manager added that staff will continue internal review and bring findings into budget and planning discussions.
Speakers at the meeting described two recurring concerns: rider behavior on downtown streets (examples cited included riders performing wheelies on Washington Street) and confusion over local signage and ordinance language that can make enforcement inconsistent. Youngs said a prior effort to follow an existing ordinance led to a large traffic backup during a parade‑period ride when organizers attempted to keep riders strictly off certain paths.
No ordinance change or formal vote on regulatory text was taken at the July 28 meeting. Commissioners and staff indicated the issue will remain part of ongoing transportation and master‑plan work and said staff and commissioners will continue to consult community members, public safety officials and the consultant working on the city’s transportation study.
The discussion combined public safety concerns, requests for clearer enforcement paths, and appeals to support recreational events that bring visitors to Marquette. Commissioners and staff did not set a public schedule for drafting a specific ordinance during the meeting.
