Micromobility Ordinance Updates Last updated or reviewed on July 1, 2025 Overview The City of Asheville is updating its ordinances to allow the legal use of personal micromobility devices such as e-scooters, skateboards, and rollerblades. These changes aim to expand safe, affordable, and accessible transportation options for residents and visitors. The updated policies will clarify where devices can be used—like bike lanes, sidewalks, and greenways—and introduce a formal definition for “micromobility” in City code. This project supports City Council goals around accessibility, affordability, and transportation safety. Happening Now City staff have completed draft updates to Asheville’s ordinances that will allow for the legal use of personal micromobility devices—such as e-scooters, skateboards, and other small, car-alternative transportation options—within City limits. These proposed changes will be presented to the Planning & Economic Development (PEDE) Committee in July 2025 for review and discussion. Following that, the updates are expected to go before the full City Council for consideration in August 2025. In the meantime, the City is preparing clear, accessible educational materials to help residents, businesses, and community partners understand what’s changing, where you’ll be able to ride, and how the new policies will support safer, more inclusive mobility options across Asheville. You can view a recent version of the presentation given to the Planning and Economic Development Council Committee here. Background In October 2023, Council passed a resolution directing staff to proceed with the College Patton Complete Streets Project AND to prepare ordinance amendments to permit use of all modes of personal transportation within bike lanes. There are a number of existing ordinances that need to be amended as part of this effort, and it is necessary to address other types of transportation facilities, such as sidewalks, roads without bike lanes, greenways, etc. at the same time. Currently, e-scooters are banned on public streets in the City. Skateboards, roller skates, and other “coasters” are also currently banned on all streets, and on sidewalks in business districts. The Federal Highway Administration broadly defines micromobility as any small, low-speed, human- or electric-powered transportation device, including bicycles, scooters, electric-assist bicycles, electric scooters (e-scooters), and other small, lightweight, wheeled conveyances. Updating city ordinances to remove barriers for the use of personal micromobility devices will help legitimize these forms of transportation, decriminalize their use, and advance Council goals associated with improving accessibility, affordability, and transportation safety. Staff developed several draft recommendations around micromobility and, received feedback from various boards and commissions on the recommendations. Staff has since drafted ordinance revision language based on feedback, industry best practices, and the legal framework available. These changes are on track to go to Council for review and adoption in August 2025. Timeline Personal Micromobility Ordinance Updates: December 2023 – Active Transportation Committee, Multi-modal Transportation Commission, Downtown Commission January 2024 – Planning and Economic Development Committee February 2024 – Riverfront Commission Feb – April 2024 – City staff draft ordinance change language September 2024 – Planning, Economic Development, and Environment Committee presentation July 2025 – Planning, Economic Development, and Environment Committee presentation Fall 2025 – City Council consideration Contact Information Hayley Burton Urban Planner II City of Asheville hburton@ashevillenc.gov
