Saline City Council voted unanimously to postpone the passing of Ordinance 877, which prohibits the use of electric bikes and mobility devices in the downtown Saline area, excepting ADA compliant devices, at the Sept. 8 meeting. The ordinance was originally proposed due to concerns about pedestrian safety and will be returned to city staff for further amendments and the consideration of alternative solutions before it will be brought to Council again.
“Following the introduction of the draft e-bike policy, some residents have expressed some concerns that the proposal may feel too restrictive at this time,” Deputy City Manager Elle Cole said. “From the concerns of the e-bikes being pushed onto roads where cars are driving, to the uphill battle of pushing your e-bike up Henry Street, which is a pretty steep hill, we heard from everyone, and we really took it in and listened to them.”
As an alternative first step to addressing the problem, Cole stated the city could instead put in place signage encouraging people to walk their bicycles and other devices on Ann Arbor-Saline Rd. between Henry St. and Michigan Ave…