Council approves amended e‑bike ordinance, limits multiuse‑path ban to Daniel Island pilot and restores parking protections

On first reading April 23, the City of Charleston council approved amendments to an e‑bike and e‑moto ordinance that narrow and soften enforcement while the city gathers data.

A council member moved three amendments that were adopted as part of the first reading: 1) limit prohibition of e‑bikes on multi‑use/shared‑use paths to Daniel Island only as a pilot running through the end of the year with reports to council from residents and the police department; 2) reinstate language on parking so the city expands available bike parking before enforcing confiscation or parking restrictions; and 3) allow electric scooters on city streets with posted speed limits of 25 miles per hour or less (down from a prior 35 mph threshold the amendment targeted).

Supporters of a narrower approach — including Katie Zimmerman of Charleston Moves and other public commenters — urged a pilot and an emphasis on increasing bike parking before enforcement. Council members discussed enforcement and educational efforts with the police department and the school district; staff said the ordinance will be monitored and reported back, and the Daniel Island pilot is intended to inform whether the rule should be expanded elsewhere. Council clarified there is no sunset for Daniel Island itself (the pilot is the testing interval to inform broader application), and that the ordinance will be revisited in December.

The ordinance passed first reading as amended by voice vote. The council did not publish a roll‑call tally in the transcript for the first‑reading vote; subsequent readings and any final adoption will be scheduled per council rules.