DETROIT (WWJ) -- Cyclists crossing the border between Detroit and Windsor have a new option starting today (Sept. 14).
Class 1 pedal-assist electric bicycles are officially permitted on the Gordie Howe International Bridge multi-use path.
What e-bikes are allowed?
Only Class 1 pedal-assist e-bikes are permitted under the new policy:
- Pedal-Assist Only: The motor provides power only while you are actively pedaling.
- No Throttle: E-bikes with throttles are strictly prohibited.
- Speed Limit: Motor assistance must stop automatically once you hit 20 mph (32 km/h).
Other motorized devices— including electric scooters, skateboards, hoverboards, and throttle e-bikes— remain banned from the path.
Key rules for crossing
- Cost: Using the multi-use path is completely free for pedestrians and cyclists.
- ID Required: You must carry a valid passport, NEXUS card, or Enhanced Driver's License to clear customs at the end of the bridge.
- Yield to Pedestrians: Pedestrians always have the right-of-way, and cyclists must ride in single file when passing.
- No Pets: Only leashed service animals are allowed on the path.
For full path guidelines and operating hours, visit the official Gordie Howe International Bridge website before heading out.
About the new bridge
Spanning 2.5 kilometers (1.5 miles) across the Detroit River, the Gordie Howe International Bridge features the longest cable-stayed main span in North America. Designed to streamline cross-border trade and travel, the infrastructure links Interstate 75 in Michigan directly to Highway 401 in Ontario alongside its dedicated, toll-free multi-use path for non-motorized traffic.
The bridge officially opened to motor vehicle traffic on July 27, 2026, with the multi-use path welcoming its first pedestrians and cyclists shortly on August 5
