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After hours of testimony, Port Huron City Council refers proposed sidewalk bicycle ordinance back to administration
Summary
Following extensive public comment from disabled riders, downtown business owners and cycling advocates, the council voted unanimously to send a first-reading ordinance on bicycles and sidewalks back to city administration for more study, targeted community engagement and technical input from regional bike/ped experts.
The Port Huron City Council on May 11 voted to refer a first-reading ordinance that would regulate bicycles and motorized-assist bikes on sidewalks back to city administration for further study and community engagement.
The ordinance — introduced at first reading to amend chapter 42 (streets, sidewalks and other public places) to provide requirements for bicycles on sidewalks — sparked a lengthy public-comment period. Speakers included disabled riders who said they rely on motor-assisted trikes for mobility, downtown business owners who said customers and storefronts are threatened by fast sidewalk riding, and cycling advocates who urged the city to prioritize protected bike lanes and network connectivity instead of a citywide ban.
"There are better solutions to safety than an outright ban that would put low-income members of our community at risk," said a resident who identified himself as Florian Maxwell, who described his wife as a disabled veteran who uses a motorized tricycle. Amanda, a resident and cycling advocate, said the city should "beef up the infrastructure" — protected lanes and connected routes — before adopting prohibitions.
Mayor Pro Tim Archabal proposed returning the ordinance to administration rather than tabling it, and the city manager said engineering would be directed to begin community engagement sessions and to bring in regional pedestrian and bicycle experts to advise on area-specific solutions. Council members also discussed the idea of returning proposals in phases (downtown first, then other sectors).
On a roll call to refer the ordinance to administration, council members voted yes (Herza, Lamb, Moser, Payton, Peton, Archabal and Mayor Ashford), and the referral carried. The council did not adopt the ordinance that night; staff will undertake further outreach and bring refined options back to the council for consideration.
