Civil Rights Litigation Initiative

CRLI CLIENT'S ADVOCACY LEADS TO NEW ORDINANCE INCREASING ACCESS FOR DISABLED CYCLISTS ON MACKINAC ISLAND

Recently, the City of Mackinac Island enacted a new ordinance, making the Island more accessible to people with disabilities. The ordinance will allow individuals with mobility disabilities to bring their Class 2 e-trikes as well as Class 1 e-bikes and trikes to Mackinac Island, increasing their opportunity to enjoy the Island to the same extent as people without disabilities. (See https://www.cityofmi.org/media/1676 ). The new ordinance comes as a welcome change to disability rights advocate Beth Hudson, who has been calling for this change for several years with support from the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative at the University of Michigan Law School.

“This change to the ordinance will now allow those of us with disabilities who require Class 2 e-cycles to cycle on the Island,” said Ms. Hudson. “My thanks go to the residents of Mackinac Island for educating themselves about implementing the Americans with Disabilities Act. I am looking forward to cycling on their beautiful Island!”

Mackinac Island generally prohibits motorized vehicles on the Island during the summer. After a 2003 lawsuit against the Island for banning all e-cycles from the Island, the City created an exception to its ban. This exception allowed people with disabilities to bring Class 1 e-cycles, which provide motor assistance only when pedaling, to the Island. The new ordinance expands this exception and allows certain cyclists to bring Class 2 e-tricycles, which use a throttle to help the rider pedal, to Mackinac Island.

For many cyclists with disabilities like Beth Hudson, cycles without a throttle are nearly impossible to use safely and independently. Ms. Hudson is a retired teacher who, following a motorcycle accident in 2017, had one of her legs amputated below the knee. Following her injury, she became an avid cyclist, traveling to cycling destinations to use her adaptive electric tricycle. Knowing Mackinac Island is a cyclists’ haven, Ms. Hudson planned a trip to the Island in August 2023. Before her visit, she asked for a reasonable accommodation to bring her Class 2 e-trike to Mackinac Island. The City of Mackinac Island denied her request. Rather than give up or file a lawsuit, Ms. Hudson worked to convince the City to change its mind.

In May 2024, the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative (CRLI) sent a letter to the City on behalf of Ms. Hudson requesting the City change its policy to better accommodate cyclists with disabilities and to comply with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Michigan Persons with Disabilities Civil Rights Act, which require that all cities make reasonable accommodations for disabled individuals. (See https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Cs4zusOuhaMExsTQuHh8Ys4CSA3s4xuo/view ). Over the past two years, the City of Mackinac Island has worked with CRLI to revise the e-bike ban and amend the ordinance to permit people like Ms. Hudson to bring their Class 2 e-trikes to the Island.

Those seeking to bring their Class 2 e-trikes to Mackinac Island should submit an application to the Mackinac Island Police Department at least two weeks before their planned trip to Mackinac Island. (See https://www.cityofmi.org/media/1681 ). Once the application is approved, visitors should be prepared to present their approved application to the ferry companies to obtain a special tag for their e-cycle. Applicants may also be required to transport e-bike batteries in a fire-resistant storage bag while on board the ferries. More information on the application process and requirements can be found on the City of Mackinac Island website: https://www.mackinacisland.org/e-bikes/ More information on ferry requirements for transporting e-cycles can be found here: https://www.arnoldtransitcompany.com/e-bike-policy/

If a visitor’s application is denied, they have the right to appeal it to the City’s Chief of Police.

In extenuating circumstances, people may apply in person with the City’s Police Department on the Island. On-site applicants must be prepared to complete an affidavit, or a document swearing that they need the accommodation.

“People with a disability have the right to enjoy the same amenities, like cycling on the Island, as everyone else,” says Laura Greer, one of the CRLI student attorneys working with Ms. Hudson. “The new ordinance allowing Class 2 e-trikes is a meaningful step towards making Mackinac Island accessible for everyone. We greatly appreciate the City’s willingness to collaborate with us to make this change.”

In addition to the new rules governing electric cycles, the Americans with Disabilities Act requires the City to discuss alternative accommodations for those whose disabilities prevent them from safely and independently using Class 1 e-bikes and e-trikes or Class 2 e-trikes.

In addition to Ms. Greer, Ms. Hudson is represented by CRLI student attorney Sophia Grant and Professor Michael J. Steinberg, director of CRLI.

One last treat for CRLI students: a video crossing the stage during graduation with the crowd in the background! Here’s a graduation video of Jenny Kim ’26 from graduation as well as a bonus photo of her studying for the bar exam in the Reading Room. (IYKYK.) In the fall, Jenny will be an attorney fighting for the rights and dignity of youth at the Juvenile Law Center in Philadelphia. Here are the details:

From the CRLI Graduation Party for CRLI grads, family, and partners. Go forth, do good, and Go Blue!

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The 2026 Michigan basketball team is not the only championship team on campus. Please say hello to the champions from 2026 Civil Rights Litigation Initiative team! Thank you all for your amazing work to advance justice this semester.

TEAM PHOTO. Front row): Ku’Juana Quinn, Laura Greer, Sophia Grant, Meredith Folensbee; Middle row: Edward Madrigal, Aanvi Jhaveri, Lily Chavez, Kal Muraco; Back Row: David Seaman, Coach Mike Steinberg, Dana Chen, Ashton Smith

Kal Muraco is a student attorney for the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative and a 2L at the University of Michigan Law School. He is originally from San Jose, California, and holds a BS in Psychology from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.

At Michigan Law, Kal serves as Community Outreach Chair for the National Lawyers Guild chapter, volunteers with the Sentence Commutation Project, and is an Associate Editor for the Michigan Journal of Race & Law. He spent his 1L summer at the New York Civil Liberties Union (NYCLU) and will work at the King County Department of Public Defense in Seattle for his 2L summer.

Kal is particularly passionate about work related to immigrant rights, racial justice, trans rights, and anti-surveillance. In his free time, Kal enjoys hiking, weightlifting, and playing board games.

Aanvi Jhaveri is a a student attorney for the Civil Rights Litigation Initiative and a 3L at the University of Michigan Law School. Aanvi is from Southern California and received a B.A. in Political Science from the University of California, San Diego. Prior to law school, she served as an Americorps Fellow at a nonprofit focused on increasing access to education for low-income students.

At Michigan Law, Aanvi is a Notes Editor for the Michigan Journal of Law Reform, a Senior Judge for Professor Timothy Pinto, and was formerly the Vice President of RSL: Women of Color Coalition. She spent her 1L summer at Bet Tzedek Legal Services and her 2L summer at the National Consumer Law Center. In her free time, she enjoys visiting coffee shops and reading.

McKenna, MLaw '50, and the entire CRLI family, wish you and yours a justice-filled and happy new year!