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Noblesville council adopts micromobility ordinance setting 20 mph trail limit and new fines
Summary
The Noblesville Common Council on June 9 approved an ordinance updating the city code to regulate micro-mobility devices — defining devices, setting a 20 mph maximum on trails, requiring helmets for riders under 18 and imposing a tiered fine structure. Education will precede enforcement.
Noblesville — The Common Council on June 9 adopted ordinance 23-05-26 to update the city’s traffic and bicycle chapters and create a unified set of rules for micro-mobility devices, including manual and electric scooters, skateboards, rollerblades and all three classes of ebikes.
Chief Brad Arnold, who presented the measure, said the ordinance’s primary goal is safety. “This ordinance provides clear expectations of what can be used on our city's sidewalks, trails, and paths and establishes regulations on how these devices are used,” he said. The ordinance defines micro-mobility devices and requires riders to obey traffic laws, yield to pedestrians, give an audible warning when passing and maintain control for safe speed and braking.
The ordinance sets a 20 mph maximum on the city’s trail network, requires helmets for riders under 18, and restricts certain vehicles — including gas-powered devices and golf carts — from trails. It also establishes age and ID requirements for class 3 ebikes: operators must be at least 15 years old and carry a valid Indiana ID card. From a compliance perspective, the measure favors outreach and education before enforcement; when penalties are used the ordinance sets a tiered fine schedule: $100 for a first offense, $150 for a second offense within a calendar year and $250 for a third or subsequent offense.
Mayor Jensen, who spoke in support of the measure, said the city will pair the ordinance with neighborhood outreach and education. “We always are trying to strike a balance between public safety and fun,” he said, urging parents to help with compliance efforts.
Council members moved and amended the ordinance to correct a formatting error and then approved the ordinance as amended by roll-call vote (nine yes, zero no). Officials said the enforcement approach will emphasize visibility and public education before citations are issued.
What it means: The ordinance standardizes how the city treats emerging personal-mobility technology, aligns trail speed limits with neighboring jurisdictions, and creates a clear penalty structure while signaling an initial emphasis on education. The change becomes part of the city code on adoption; staff said guidance and communications will follow pending publication of the final ordinance text.
