Dearborn Heights is taking a hard look at where kids can ride e-bikes and e-scooters after two recent crashes involving riders under 13 left both children hurt. One collision happened outside the Caroline Kennedy Library near City Hall, and another took place near Van Houten Park. Now, city leaders are openly talking about tighter rules for young riders and possible penalties for parents.
What officials are proposing
According to ClickOnDetroit, the push for new rules follows the two crashes involving children under 13. Mohamed Qasim, the city’s director of communications, said city attorneys are drafting language that respects state regulations while giving police clearer tools to respond when e-bikes and scooters are used unsafely. The proposal could spell out where the devices are allowed and how officers handle violations.
City Councilman Hassan Saab has already signaled he wants some real teeth in the law. He posted on social media that any minor found operating these machines in violation of laws could face enforcement action and so will parents, and told the outlet he hopes the ordinance includes hefty fines to discourage risky riding.
Crashes and injuries
WXYZ reports the most recent crash happened on Tuesday at about 12:30 p.m. outside the city library. Police said a preteen rider was taken to the Children's Hospital with what officers described as a broken femur and a head laceration. The earlier collision occurred near Van Houten Park.
Dearborn Heights Police Chief Michael Guzowski told the station that some e-bikes pick up speed very quickly and can be hard for young riders to control. Mayor Mo Baydoun has said he is working with the city's legal team on possible age limits, including a 16-year threshold for higher-powered bikes.
State law and local limits
Michigan's vehicle code uses a three-class system to define electric bicycles and gives local governments only limited authority to restrict them on trails and paths. That setup is a big reason Dearborn Heights attorneys are treading carefully as they draft new rules. Any local ordinance has to fit within the framework and definitions laid out in the Michigan Legislature's vehicle code.
Neighbors and shop owners weigh in
Not everyone in town agrees on how tough the city should get. Rob Akers, owner of International Bike Shop, told ClickOnDetroit that “they're too fast for the sidewalk,” while still acknowledging that e-bikes come with real benefits when people ride them responsibly.
Other residents are wary of cracking down on parents. One person told the outlet that an e-bike is nothing more than a gift, a toy. Those competing views highlight a growing split in Dearborn Heights between concerns about safety and frustration over what some see as overly punitive measures aimed at families.
Nearby cities are acting
Dearborn Heights is not the only community wrestling with how to handle e-bikes and scooters. South Lyon updated its ordinance this winter to mirror state rules, ban e-bikes from downtown sidewalks and cap speeds on shared trails, according to WHMI. The result is a patchwork of local rules as cities try to balance safety, access and enforcement.
What to expect
City leaders say they are aiming for a middle ground that keeps kids safe without shutting down the practical benefits e-bikes offer to older riders. Once a draft ordinance is ready, the City Council is expected to take it up in public session, with residents able to weigh in. Those interested can watch for upcoming council agendas and meeting dates on the city’s website to see when the proposal lands on the docket.
