Some things about life on Mackinac Island are pretty straightforward. Horses have the right of way. Bicycles are everywhere. The fudge is divine.
And, of course, one of the most distinctive features is that Mackinac Island streets are car-free and have been since the advent of “horseless carriages.”
But when it comes to modern forms of transportation, things get a little more complicated. For example, e-bikes on Mackinac Island have very specific rules and regulations. And what about electric scooters and hoverboards? What are the local policies on those?
Or how about non-motorized ways of getting around beside traditional bicycles, such as skateboards and street gliders? Did you know bikes with training wheels are permitted only in certain areas of Mackinac Island?
Below is mode-by-mode guidance for how various kinds of wheels fit – or don’t fit – into the timeless culture of Mackinac Island.
Motorized Transportation on Mackinac Island
The general rule of thumb is that if something has a motor, don’t bring it to Mackinac Island. There are exceptions, however.
Here’s a look at various kinds of motorized transportation and whether you should take them to Mackinac Island or not:
- Electric scooters, Segways and hoverboards are not permitted on Mackinac Island. Wheeled devices with motors are prohibited unless specifically authorized.
- Ditto for mopeds and ATVs
- Electric wheelchairs are welcome on Mackinac Island as a mobility aid. In fact, mobility devices are available to rent on Mackinac Island from certain bike shops right in town.
- E-Bikes are not allowed on Mackinac Island unless you have a qualifying mobility disability and get licensed by Mackinac Island police. See Mackinac Island E-Bike rules here.
- Neither electric nor gas golf carts can be driven around Mackinac Island, with this exception: You can use a golf cart while playing one of Mackinac Island’s golf courses.
Non-Motorized Transportation on Mackinac Island
Visitors bring bicycles onto Mackinac Island ferry boats all the time. You don’t see quite so many penny-farthings, but that classic mode of transportation is a perfect fit for the island’s old-time vibe, too.
In general, if something doesn’t have a motor then you can get around with it on Mackinac Island. But there are exceptions. Please use good judgment during your visit and refrain from using certain kinds of non-motorized transportation (listed below) in congested areas.
- Kick scooters without an electric motor can be a fun way of cruising around the paved streets of Mackinac Island, but be advised that they are not allowed downtown between the Mackinac Island Public School and the Water Treatment plant near Mission Point Resort.
- Skateboards and longboards are not permitted downtown either, although they can be used to navigate the island’s paved streets in other areas.
- A pedal-powered rickshaw or pedicab can be a delightful addition to a Mackinac Island wedding, but they are not allowed for general transportation on Mackinac island
- Adult tricycles may be a good option for people who have difficulty keeping their balance on a two-wheeled ride. For visitors with an exceptional sense of balance, a unicycle or big-wheeled penny-farthing is a photogenic way of getting around. Please follow Mackinac Island bicycle safety rules.
- Training wheels on bicycles are a great way for inexperienced riders to get around most parts of Mackinac Island. But note that they are not allowed on Main and Market streets downtown or on Cadotte Avenue between downtown and Grand Hotel.
- Roller skates, rollerblades and inline skates are wonderful ways to experience long stretches of M-185 around the perimeter of Mackinac Island and other roads outside of downtown, but please do not use them downtown between the Mackinac Island Public School and the Water Treatment plant near Mission Point Resort.
- Please use the same caution with street gliders (or Heelys) and refrain from wearing them in the downtown area.
RELATED MACKINAC ISLAND BLOGS: