Danville City Council Considers Banning Electric Bikes, Scooters From Downtown Sidewalks

The Danville City Council is set to consider a proposed ordinance that would update the city’s municipal code to include an explicit ban on e-scooters and e-bikes on sidewalks in the downtown business district.

The move comes both as the vehicles have grown in popularity in recent years and amid increased complaints from downtown business owners and residents, according to city staff, as the Danville Police Department has stepped up its messaging about existing regulations on e-bikes and scooters in recent months.

“With the growing popularity and presence of e-bikes and e-scooters, there has been an increase in sidewalk activity and concerns across the city, particularly in the downtown business district,” Development Services Director Diane Friedmann wrote in a staff report prepared for the upcoming meeting. “The public frequently asks city staff for clarification on current laws regarding the general use of e-bikes and e-scooters, and specifically regarding the use of these devices as well as conventional bicycles on sidewalks.”

While state law prohibits the use of bicycles and e-scooters on sidewalks, the law also states that general use of bicycles on sidewalks is determined by local ordinances, Friedmann wrote. That means the use of motorized scooters on sidewalks is prohibited statewide, but e-bikes are subject to sidewalk bicycle regulations determined by local municipalities.

In Danville, there are no ordinances regulating the use of any vehicle on sidewalks, except for a section of the city code prohibiting the illegal use of skateboards in the downtown business district.

“There have been a growing number of complaints from downtown residents, business owners and property owners about the use of e-bikes and scooters on sidewalks,” Friedmann wrote. “It is becoming increasingly difficult for the police department to enforce public safety on this issue.”

Since May, DPD has conducted additional outreach efforts to inform residents about motor vehicle use on sidewalks and other regulations amid an increase in inquiries and complaints. The topic has also been part of discussions on the Downtown Master Plan Catalyst Project, leading to a council study session on May 14 to evaluate state traffic regulations and existing city ordinances.

On May 20, city staff presented a draft ordinance to the Bicycle Advisory Commission that would ban all vehicles from sidewalks in the downtown business district, which voted unanimously to recommend that the City Council adopt the ordinance. At a study session on June 11, the council asked staff to exclude non-motorized vehicles from the proposed ordinance and to expand the language to include all of the city’s business districts as defined by state law rather than just downtown.

The ordinance is expected to be presented at the next council meeting before returning for a second reading at the July 16 council meeting.

The Danville City Council will meet at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2. The agenda is available here.

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