Gordie Howe bridge access prompts urgent look at Windsor’s micromobility bylaws

Artist rendering of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. (Source: WDBA)

Windsor city council has directed administration to move quickly on possible bylaw changes tied to cycling and micromobility access around the Gordie Howe International Bridge.

The issue came up Monday during discussion of a report on micromobility, with councillors raising concern that Windsor’s existing rules may not fully align with what will be needed once residents begin using the bridge’s cross border multi-use path.

Coun. Angelo Marignani asked whether the city could create an exemption or update its parks bylaw specifically for cross-border multi-use paths connecting to the international port of entry.

“With the bridge, we have electrical vehicles that are allowed on American pathways but are not allowed on Canadian pathways,” Marignani said.

“Could we create an exemption or an update to our parks bylaw specifically designated for the designation of cross-border multi-use paths connecting the international port of entry?”

Administration said the city can review its bylaws, noting Windsor’s current traffic bylaw is due for a refresh when it comes to devices such as e-bikes and e-scooters.

However, staff also cautioned that the city’s authority only goes so far.

While Windsor can look at rules for local paths and trails leading to the bridge, decisions about what is allowed on the bridge itself would likely fall to the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and possibly Transport Canada.

Mayor Drew Dilkens urged that the bridge-related portion of the work be expedited, saying he does not want Windsor’s bylaws to become a barrier once the bridge opens.

“I don’t want something to happen with the Gordie Howe Bridge where they open, and all of a sudden, those folks are saying the city bylaws don’t comply,” Dilkens said.

He added the opening could be “seven days from now” or “177 days from now,” but said the city should be ready for people who want to ride across the bridge, including those using pedal-assist bikes that may not currently be permitted.

“I don’t want to be the one as a barrier when people are excited to ride their bike across and have a pedal-assist bike that’s not currently allowed,” Dilkens added.

The broader report says micromobility is growing quickly, but regulations have not kept pace.

It says there are still gaps in provincial and municipal rules, making it harder for users to understand where devices are allowed and harder for police or bylaw officers to enforce the rules.

For now, Windsor has opted into Ontario’s e-scooter pilot program, allowing both shared and personal e-scooters under local rules.

But the city has not opted into provincial pilot programs for cargo e-bikes, golf carts or low-speed vehicles, meaning those are not currently allowed in the public right-of-way, parks, multi-use pathways or trails in Windsor.

The report also says e-bikes can travel up to 32 km/h, while e-scooters can travel up to 24 km/h, creating safety concerns when they mix with pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles.

It also points to enforcement challenges because many micromobility devices do not have licence plates or registration.

Administration is expected to come back with recommended bylaw changes, with the Gordie Howe Bridge access issue treated as the more urgent piece.