Farmington council advances ban on bikes, e-bikes and scooters on downtown sidewalks
Farmington City Council unanimously approved a first reading of an ordinance banning bicycles, e-bikes, electric skateboards and electric scooters from downtown sidewalks. A second reading is needed before it takes effect.
By OCJ Staff
Farmington could become the latest Oakland County community to push bikes and electric riding devices off its sidewalks.
The Farmington City Council unanimously approved a first reading of an ordinance that would ban bicycles, e-bikes, electric skateboards and electric scooters from sidewalks in the city's downtown, MLive and The Oakland Press reported Wednesday. The council must approve a second reading before the ban takes effect. No date for that vote was reported, and the reports did not describe any penalties.
The report dated the meeting "Tuesday, Oct. 19," but Oct. 19 fell on a Monday this year; the council has held its regular 2026 meetings on Mondays.
Council comments: Council member Steve Schneeman said he would like the ban to cover sidewalks citywide, not just downtown. "They are called sidewalks for a reason," he said, according to the report. Council member Maria Taylor called for a robust communications campaign to teach residents about the rules, the report said.
The ordinance has been in the works since at least the summer: the council packet for Aug. 17 listed an electric bicycles study session with a draft ordinance.
Other communities: Nearby communities have adopted similar rules in recent weeks:
- Berkley: An ordinance that took effect Sept. 16 bans electric devices, including e-bikes and e-motos, from sidewalks and city parks, according to the report.
- Beverly Hills: The village council adopted rules Sept. 15 banning motorized bicycles, Class 1 through 3 e-bikes, e-scooters, e-skateboards and e-motos from sidewalks, bike paths and village parks, the report said.
- Bloomfield Township: A six-month ban bars young riders from using e-bikes and e-scooters on sidewalks. Reports differ on the exact age: FOX 2 Detroit reported the ban covers riders under 16, while WXYZ and the MLive/Oakland Press report said 16 and younger.
Novi's City Council also opened talks on possible e-bike and e-moto rules at its Oct. 12 meeting.
Sources: MLive/The Oakland Press, "E-bike ban advances in another Oakland County community" (Peg McNichol, Oct. 21, 2026); City of Farmington council packet, Aug. 17, 2026; FOX 2 Detroit (Sept. 14, 2026) and WXYZ (Sept. 15, 2026) on Bloomfield Township's ban.