E-bikes remain prohibited on Mackinac for most people. But for those with disabilities, there are new, stricter guidelines in place that include a multi-step approval process for getting an E-bike permit.
For island visitors with disabilities who want to bring an E-bike, a temporary permit application must be sent to the city at least two weeks in advance of their trip. In some cases, getting approved for a permit could require a doctor’s note or even an on-island medical appointment before a permit is granted by the city’s police department.
People who are found to have an unpermitted E-bike can have the bicycle impounded and can be fined, as violations are considered a civil infraction.
The recent amendment to the city’s ordinance governing E-bikes comes after City Council members had asked local police to crack down electric bike-riding scofflaws who could be seen whizzing up the island’s hills, down Main Street, and generally flaunting the earlier restrictions that had been in place.
Prior to last week, E-bikes had been banned for anyone on Mackinac Island unless the person had a medical disability that made them necessary.
But there were not a lot of teeth to that ordinance — or a clear path to getting approval — and the rules were not being followed. Whether or not someone actually had a disability was handled on the honor system. A past island police chief once said the E-bike allowance for those with disabilities was incredibly difficult to enforce, adding “Either people are fibbing, or Mackinac Island has the highest per-capita number of disabled people around.”
This island where most cars are prohibited classifies E-bikes as motorized vehicles. The fear was that without stricter rules, Mackinac could be overrun with them and it would ruin the charm of the downtown area and the forested state park trails. The speedy bikes could scare the horses that the island depends on and generally be a nuisance on its low-speed streets.
“The goal is to preserve the charm of car-free Mackinac Island while still enabling people with mobility disabilities the chance to explore and enjoy Mackinac Island’s incredible natural beauty,” according to an explanation on the city’s tourism website. “The terrain on Mackinac Island can be challenging. ... Establishing rules to allow e-bikes for the visitors who need them helps everyone experience the amazing sights and historic landmarks. At the same time, it protects the motor-free character that’s a big part of what has made Mackinac Island so special for more than 100 years.”
More E-bikes also are a big public safety concern on an island with lots of historic wooden buildings. Mackinac has seen at least 10 fires started by electric bikes and their batteries in the last several years.
The new guidelines apply to E-bike use on the entire island - the city as well as the larger state park.
Want to ride your E-bike on Mackinac Island? Here are the steps you’ll need to take and answers to the most commonly-asked questions:
WHO CAN QUALIFY FOR AN E-BIKE PERMIT
People may be approved for an E-bike permit if their application shows they have the following medical issues:
- Cannot walk 200 feet without stopping to rest
- Use a brace, cane, crutch, wheelchair or other assistive device
- Use portable oxygen
- Have a qualifying cardiac condition
- Have an arthritic, neurological or orthopedic condition that severely limits your ability to walk and pedal
WHAT TYPES OF E-BIKES ARE ALLOWED
- Class 1 E-bikes
- Three-wheeled Class 1 or 2 E-tricycles
- Class 2 E-bikes can be made compliant by permanently removing the throttle
- Bicycles must have a permanently affixed label showing its classification, top assisted speed and motor wattage
HOW TO APPLY FOR AN E-BIKE PERMIT IF YOU HAVE A DISABILITY
- Submit the Mobility Disability Accommodation Application to the Mackinac Island Police Department at least 2 weeks before a visit to the island.
- A person will be asked to provide documentation in the application. This includes photos of the bike or trike, and evidence of a disability. This can include a doctor’s note, or state-issued handicap parking permit.
- Island police staff will review for the form and documents. The applicant will be notified by email if their permit has been approved or denied.
HOW TO GET AN E-BIKE WITH AN APPROVED PERMIT TO THE ISLAND
- If the permit is approved, the person can present a printed copy to either Shepler’s or Arnold Transit staff before taking a ferry and their E-bike to the island
- Visitors will also need to purchase a bicycle license for their E-bike at the ferry terminal before going to the island
- The ferry company will then tag the approved E-bike before it’s loaded onto the ferry
- Tags must remain on all bicycles during the entire visit
WHAT IF YOU DON'T GET AN E-BIKE PERMIT BEFORE YOU ARRIVE ON MACKINAC ISLAND
- People bringing E-bikes that are not approved and not tagged as legal must bring their bike to the city police department on Market Street and apply for a permit in person with their documentation.
- They can call the Mackinac Island Medical Center to schedule an appointment for a physician screening, if they did not bring documentation about their medical condition.
- Medical appointments cannot be guaranteed, as priority is given to established patients over visitors.
- Visitors can call (906) 847-3582 to schedule an appointment. You can find more information from the medical center online.
- There is a fee for the office visit. If a person has insurance, they will likely have a co-pay. If a person has no health insurance, the cost of the visit could be up to $200.
- If a person is not approved for an E-bike permit, their bike can be impounded for the duration of their stay.
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