Juneau Hears a Proposal to Ban E-Motos From Paths and Trails on Nov. 16

Juneau, Alaska, is set to hold a public hearing on Monday, Nov. 16, 2026, on a city ordinance that would treat electric motorcycles and e-motos like motorcycles and keep them off sidewalks, bike paths and trails. Ordinance 2026-45 would also put a new definition in city code that decides whether an electric two-wheeler counts as an e-bike or a motorcycle.

The Assembly meets at 6 p.m. in Assembly Chambers and by Zoom webinar. Nothing has been adopted. The Nov. 16 meeting packet carries the text introduced Oct. 26, and the Assembly can amend it.

Key points:

• What it would ban: riding a motorcycle, electric motorcycle, e-moto, gas-moto or motor-driven cycle on city and borough bike paths, shared-use paths, sidewalks and trails, including Eaglecrest ski area and Nordic trails, unless a route is designated for them.
• Where riding stays allowed: the 35-Mile Off Road Vehicle Riding Park and the Montana Creek CBJ Recreation area, under posted rules.
• The line: more than 750 watts, throttle speed over 20 mph, pedal-assisted speed over 28 mph, or no working pedals.
• Penalty: a fine of up to $300, and possible impoundment for repeat citations.
• If adopted: it takes effect 30 days later.

What Counts as an E-Moto Under the Proposal

The ordinance turns on a definition. A two- or three-wheeled vehicle with a gas or electric motor is an e-moto, gas-moto, electric motorcycle or motor-driven cycle if it meets any one of these:

1. It has no fully working pedals that the manufacturer intends as a main way to move it.
2. It has an electric motor rated above 750 watts.
3. It can go faster than 20 mph on throttle alone on level ground.
4. It can go faster than 28 mph with pedal assist on level ground.

The proposal uses those thresholds to determine when a motorized bike falls under the motorcycle rules. The definition expressly covers vehicles marketed as e-motos, gas-motos, motor scooters, electric dirt bikes and electric mopeds, whether or not they're licensed, registered or street-legal under state law. All of them would be "regulated as a motorcycle" in city code.

The marketing name doesn't decide it either way. A bike sold as an "e-bike" that tops 20 mph on throttle would fall on the motorcycle side.

Where You Couldn't Ride

The introduced text adds the same prohibition in two places in city code, the parks code (Title 67) and the traffic code (Title 72). It covers:

• City and borough bike paths and shared-use pathways
• Sidewalks
• Trails
• Eaglecrest ski area trails and Eaglecrest Nordic trails

A route can still be designated for these vehicles. The two named exceptions are the 35-Mile ORV Riding Park and the Montana Creek recreation area, where riders follow the posted rules.

On roads, the amended section gives e-moto riders the same rights and duties as other drivers and extends the city's motorcycle riding rules to them: ride astride a permanent seat, carry a passenger only on a seat built for two, keep both hands on the bars. It also lists a motorcycle-helmet requirement for riders 17 and under.

The city manager's summary says unlicensed electric motorcycles would be limited to private property and public areas that expressly allow them. The ordinance would treat powered adaptive bicycles like bicycles when deciding where they can be ridden.

Fines and Impoundment

Under the introduced text, a violation is an infraction punishable by a fine of no more than $300. Someone cited who already has a citation under the same or a similar provision may have the vehicle impounded under the city's impound chapter.

The introduced text proposes a $300 fine in both schedules for the motorcycle and e-moto violations. It strikes out the old $55 traffic fine and $150 parks fine. The Assembly can change the amounts before adoption.

Separately, the text would allow negligent and careless driving charges for people on e-bikes, electric motorcycles, e-motos, e-scooters and e-skateboards, not only drivers of conventional motor vehicles.

How It Got Here

Ordinance 2026-45 replaces an earlier measure, Ordinance 2026-41, which would have regulated these vehicles only in parks and recreation areas. At a Sept. 21 Committee of the Whole meeting, the Assembly signaled it wanted city-wide rules, and the city manager recommended taking testimony on 2026-41 and tabling it. The Nov. 16 packet says the Systemic Racism Review Committee lacked a quorum to review Ordinance 2026-45.

How to Weigh In

1. Read the ordinance in the Nov. 16 Assembly packet, printed pages 161–169.
2. Testify at the Nov. 16 hearing in Assembly Chambers or by Zoom; the clerk's public notice has the webinar details.
3. Ask for accommodations at least 36 hours ahead through the Municipal Clerk's Office, (907) 586-5278.
4. Check the outcome with the clerk afterward. The Assembly can amend, adopt, delay or reject the ordinance, and the 30-day clock only starts on adoption.

If you ride an electric dirt bike or a high-powered e-bike in Juneau, the definition above is the part to check against your bike's specs. This proposal doesn't change Alaska's state registration, licensing or insurance rules.