Dearborn Heights adopts e‑bike registration and bans electric bicycles on city property

The Dearborn Heights City Council on June 9 adopted a new ordinance updating city rules for electric bicycles and approved a related resolution banning electric bicycle operation on city‑owned properties.

The ordinance adopts class definitions consistent with state law (class 1–3 e‑bikes) and establishes a local registration program; after council debate members set a $200 annual registration fee intended to fund administration and enforcement. Council members discussed higher fees but were advised fees must be proportionate to administrative costs; the motion to set the fee at $200 passed on the council floor.

Separately, council adopted a resolution that prohibits operation of electric bicycles and certain powered micro‑mobility devices on city‑owned properties including parks, library grounds and other municipal facilities. Staff and the police chief said signage and an awareness campaign will precede broader enforcement and that the police department would develop a registration workflow and database for enforcing registration requirements.

Council members framed the actions as public‑safety measures after multiple reports of high‑speed e‑bikes and injuries near parks and playgrounds. The council asked the administration and police to proceed immediately with public notification and to finalize registration procedures so the database and stickers/permits can be issued.