Electric Bikes On Mackinac Island: What's The Verdict?

Mackinac Island in Michigan is a car-free zone, with motor vehicles banned from the island. Electric bicycles are considered motor vehicles under Mackinac Island City Ordinance Section 66-31, unless they meet the definitions and requirements of Mackinac Island City Ordinance 66-167. The island has detailed rules about which types of e-bikes are allowed, with the aim of preserving the charm of the car-free island while still enabling people with mobility disabilities to explore.

E-bikes are not allowed on Mackinac Island, Michigan, unless you have a qualifying 'mobility disability'

E-bikes are not allowed on Mackinac Island, Michigan. The island has detailed rules about e-bikes, which are designed to preserve the charm of the car-free island.

However, there is an exception for visitors with a qualifying 'mobility disability'. Under Mackinac Island city code, a 'mobility disability' means 'a physical impairment that substantially limits the ability of the individual to pedal a bicycle'. An example of this would be a person who can't walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.

If you have a qualifying mobility disability, you may operate a Class 1 electric bicycle on Mackinac Island. A Class 1 electric bicycle is equipped with an electric motor of no more than 750 watts, is limited to a top speed of 20mph, and the electric motor must only engage when the rider is pedalling. If your e-bike has a throttle to engage the motor, or if it is capable of speeds of over 20mph, it is not allowed on the island.

A 'mobility disability' means a physical impairment that substantially limits the ability of the individual to pedal a bicycle

Electric bikes are not allowed on Mackinac Island, Michigan, with the exception of visitors with a qualifying 'mobility disability'.

A mobility disability means a physical impairment that substantially limits the ability of the individual to pedal a bicycle. For example, a person who can't walk 200 feet without stopping to rest would be considered to have a mobility disability.

The City of Mackinac Island's ordinance defines an electric bicycle as a two- or three-wheeled bicycle that satisfies all the elements of the definition of a 'Class 1 electric bicycle' in the Michigan Vehicle Code. This means the bike is equipped with an electric motor of no more than 750 watts, has a top speed of 20 mph, and the electric motor must only engage when the rider is pedalling.

Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles are not permitted on the island. Class 2 electric bicycles have a throttle that operates the motor even when the rider is not pedalling, and Class 3 electric bicycles can exceed 20 mph.

Class 1 electric bicycles are allowed on Mackinac Island

A Class 1 electric bicycle is equipped with an electric motor of no more than 750 watts, is limited to a top speed of 20mph, and the electric motor must only engage when the rider is pedalling. If you are able to apply a throttle to engage the motor, or if the bike is capable of speeds of over 20mph, that E-Bike is not allowed on the island.

Class 2 electric bicycles with a throttle that operates the motor even when the rider is not pedalling are not permitted on Mackinac Island. Neither are Class 3 electric bicycles that can exceed 20 miles per hour. All e-bikes must have a label affixed somewhere on the bike that denotes whether it is a Class I, Class II, or Class III electric bike.

Class 2 and Class 3 electric bicycles are not permitted on Mackinac Island

Electric bicycles are not allowed on Mackinac Island. However, there is an exception for visitors with a qualifying 'mobility disability'. A 'mobility disability' is defined as a physical impairment that substantially limits the ability of the individual to pedal a bicycle. For example, a person who can't walk 200 feet without stopping to rest.

Class 1 electric bicycles are permitted on Mackinac Island for those with a mobility disability. A Class 1 electric bicycle is equipped with an electric motor of no more than 750 watts, is limited to a top speed of 20mph, and the electric motor must only engage when the rider is pedalling.

To summarise, only Class 1 electric bicycles are permitted on Mackinac Island, and only for visitors with a qualifying mobility disability.

E-bikes with a throttle to engage the motor are not allowed in the City of Mackinac Island or in Mackinac Island State Park

E-bikes are not allowed on Mackinac Island, Michigan, unless the rider has a qualifying 'mobility disability'. A 'mobility disability' is defined as 'a physical impairment that substantially limits the ability of the individual to pedal a bicycle'.

The only type of e-bike that is allowed on Mackinac Island is a Class 1 electric bicycle. This is defined as an e-bike with an electric motor of no more than 750 watts, with a top speed of 20mph, and where the electric motor only engages when the rider is pedalling.

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