Model Ordinance Starter
Plain-language ordinance concepts a city attorney, transportation staffer, or advocate can adapt. This is policy organizing material, not legal advice.
Findings and intent
The city recognizes that personal electric vehicles, including electric unicycles, are used for commuting, short trips, recreation, accessibility-adjacent mobility, and car-light transportation. The city also recognizes that unsafe operation can injure pedestrians, create conflict in shared spaces, and undermine public trust.
The intent of this ordinance is to regulate unsafe conduct, define lawful operation, create accountability, and avoid unnecessary blanket prohibition where less restrictive safety rules can address the risk.
Starter clauses
Personal electric vehicle
A personal electric vehicle means a single-occupant electric mobility device, including an electric unicycle or similar self-balancing device, that is not designed as an automobile and is operated while standing or seated by one person.
Class by operating speed and context
The city may classify personal electric vehicles by posted operating speed, location, and device capability. Lower-speed operation may be permitted in shared paths where bicycles are permitted. Higher-speed street operation may require additional equipment, visible ID, rider age minimums, or proof of liability coverage where available.
Sidewalk and pedestrian zones
In pedestrian-only areas, sidewalks, crowded promenades, crossings, transit platforms, and similar zones, a rider must operate at walking pace, yield to pedestrians, dismount where posted, and avoid unsafe passing. A collision with a pedestrian, failure to stop, or failure to identify may be treated as an enhanced violation.
Lighting, visibility, and control
Night operation requires front lighting, rear visibility, and reflective material or equivalent visibility equipment. Faster street-capable operation may require audible warning capability, rear visibility, and equipment sufficient for predictable braking and signaling.
Insurance and visible ID pilot
The city may establish a voluntary or mandatory pilot for visible ID and proof of personal mobility liability coverage for higher-speed personal electric vehicles if coverage is commercially available on reasonable terms.
Findings before prohibition
Before adopting a blanket prohibition on electric unicycles or personal electric vehicles, the city should publish findings explaining why classification, speed zoning, sidewalk restrictions, visible ID, insurance pathways, rider education, and reckless-operation enforcement are insufficient.