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Council reviews draft micromobility code changes amid debate over helmets, speed limits and mini-motorcycles
Summary
City staff proposed detailed micromobility code revisions including helmet provisions for minors, parking rules, a continued ban on miniature motorcycles, parental accountability and administrative speed-setting. Council signaled support for many changes but resisted a blanket helmet mandate and asked staff for enforcement and education details.
City staff presented draft revisions to Dublin’s code governing micromobility devices on Jan. 20, outlining new definitions, parking rules, operator requirements and enforcement plans while asking council for policy direction on helmets, speed-setting and small motorcycles.
Jeanne Willis, staff presenter, told council the micro mobility pilot launched in 2022 and the proposed code creates a technical definition of micromobility devices, establishes parking requirements to prevent blocking ADA ramps, and adds a helmet provision for riders under a specified age. "We did conduct our micromobility proposed code amendment survey from December 12 through 12/28/2025, receiving 312 responses," Willis said, noting the survey showed about 86% support for enhanced safety measures and roughly 88% backing for youth helmet requirements.
Joe Batchelor, who reviewed existing code and the draft language, said the revisions would clarify where devices may be used, maintain a ban on miniature motorcycles outside private property and add a provision for fleet operators that would be enforced largely through contract terms with providers. "Miniature motorcycles are banned," Batchelor said, and staff proposed a layered enforcement and penalty scheme to follow.
Council members focused much of the discussion on the enforceability and public-education implications of a helmet mandate and on whether to put specific speed limits in the code or allow the city manager to set limits administratively. Several council members said they opposed a universal helmet mandate. "I don’t favor a mandate for helmets… I think it’s a family decision," one council member said. Others urged targeted youth protections and robust education tied to school programs and community outreach.
Staff told council penalties will be included in the public-information plan once rules are finalized and said administrative orders could post path-specific speed limits more quickly than code changes. Batchelor and Willis also recommended keeping miniature motorcycles explicitly prohibited in parks and on shared-use paths to address safety and maintenance concerns.
What’s next: Staff will return with draft ordinance language for council consideration and said they would include enforcement details, penalty structure, clarifications on definitions (electric v. gas mini motorcycles) and the education plan. Council asked staff to provide additional comparisons with neighboring jurisdictions and clarify whether the code would apply on private HOA paths. The council did not vote on the ordinance at the meeting.
