Sidewalks are about to get a little more crowded — and more regulated — in Maricopa.
In a 6-1 vote Tuesday, Maricopa City Council approved a new ordinance that would allow bicycles, electric bikes and scooters on sidewalks. Councilmember AnnaMarie Knorr cast the lone dissenting vote.
Mayor Nancy Smith said with the number of city roadways lacking bicycle lanes or even sidewalks, she didn’t “want any of those bicyclists … feeling uncomfortable with their safety” while riding along the roadway.
It seemed Maricopans supported this ordinance change as well. Maricopa Police Chief Mark Goodman shared that 65% of survey respondents wanted to see these changes. That support was tied to concerns about sharing the roadway, “particularly on higher speed corridors,” he said.
“The driving factor was safety,” he said. “There is a strong perception that high-speed roadways are not safe environments for cyclists or scooter users. We also heard concerns about a perceived lack of dedicated bicycle infrastructure and a desire for safety alternatives, especially for juveniles.”
The changes stem from an increasing number of pedestrian- and cyclist-involved crashes, which have even become deadly. The city has seen a gradual increase in such collisions over the past two years, with 23 crashes in 2024, 27 in 2025 and 12 so far this year as of March.
In a March meeting, Goodman introduced city code amendments that would “modernize code framework” while “prioritizing safety and enforceability.”
The ordinance also includes several additional changes:
- Prohibits pedestrians from crossing roadways “between adjacent intersections where traffic signals or marked crosswalks are provided.”
- Allows mid-block road crossings where no crosswalks or traffic signals are “reasonably available.”
- Prohibits pedestrians from stopping, standing or remaining in the roadway or median.
- Would require minors to wear a helmet when riding a bicycle, e-bike, electric scooter or other motorized device.
Knorr and Councilmember Amber Liermann initially supported a version that would have prevented e-bikes reaching speeds above 20 mph from operating on sidewalks. However, this is already part of state statute, pointed out City Manager Ben Bitter.
The new ordinance will become effective May 21.
![Western Pinal Justice of the Peace Patricia Glover speaks during a City of Maricopa Republican Club on May 23, 2026. [Monica D. Spencer]](https://inmaricopa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/20260529-spencer-teeple-republican-club-1-4-300x200.jpg)
6 Responses
so my ? is when will maricopa police dept enforce the no stopping, standing and parking in bike lanes? this contributes to issues on sidewalks. will city make children and adults attend safety classes about this?
The speeds at which automobiles travel at are typically above the posted speed limit. It is also typical for automobiles to push the limit on yellow lights turning red due to the increased speeds. The danger is with the increasing speeds.
Also “Knorr and Councilmember Amber Liermann initially supported a version that would have prevented e-bikes reaching speeds above 20 mph from operating on sidewalks. However, this is already part of state statute.”
Is there a protocol that prohibits the city from limiting the speeds which E-Bikes travel of City of Maricopa sidewalks? And is a minor citizen aware of the state speed limit? I would doubt they are aware of it. I would also doubt there is any instruction made to minority E-Bike riders about state laws. Please explain if I am wrong . . .
Please keep my comment up on this site also. I believe Maricopa will have some issues with speeding E-Bikes and pedestrians.
Thank God! WE’RE SAVED!!! 😂🤣😂
Supportive of this — but enforcement matters. ARS § 28-815 already requires cyclists to ride as far right as possible on roadways, limits side-by-side riding to two across, and prohibits cars from driving or parking in bike lanes. Yet wrong-way riders and cars in bike lanes are common sights in Maricopa. There’s a real opportunity here for community education alongside the new ordinance. Let’s keep our kids safe **and** enforce the law.
This is going to be very dangerous when young kids, moms with baby strollers, people walking their dogs on the sidewalk. This is not the answer.
Sidewalks need to be wide enough to allow for two way travel. Utilize the cities drainage system to allow pedestrians to get around without having to come in contact with roadway traffic. Take a look at Scottsdale, this is what they do.