Riding Safely

Electric scooters, e-bikes, golf carts, and other small vehicles have become a common part of everyday life in Homewood. While many may look similar, Alabama law treats them very differently.


Many residents are surprised to learn that these may be legally classified as motor vehicles and are subject to licensing, insurance, registration, and safety requirements.


These are not City of Homewood regulations. They are requirements established by Alabama state law that the Homewood Police Department must follow. We are sharing this information to help residents understand the rules, avoid violations, and stay safe.



A Note for Parents

Parents are often surprised to learn that Alabama law may hold them responsible if a child operates certain vehicles without the required license, insurance, registration, helmet, shoes, or other required safety equipment.


State law may also hold parents responsible if they knowingly allow a child to violate traffic laws while operating these vehicles.


Because of that, it may be good to take the time to understand the rules that apply to what you may purchase and allow to operate.


  • Electric Scooter

    What is it? Under Alabama law, an electric scooter is a device that:


    • Weighs less than 100 pounds

    • Has handlebars and an electric motor

    • Is powered by an electric motor or human power

    • Has a maximum speed of 20 mph on level pavement


    A Common Misconception

    The electric scooters most people see and use in Homewood today are generally classified as motor vehicles under Alabama law. While many are purchased as recreational items, state law requires them to be treated differently than bicycles and e-bikes when operated on public roads.


    Why is this important?

    Many people assume electric scooters are treated similarly to bicycles. However, Alabama law classifies electric scooters as motor vehicles and motor driven cycles. As a result, they are subject to many of the same requirements that apply to motorcycles and other motor vehicles.


    Rules and Requirements

    • Minimum operator age: 14

    • Motorcycle license (Class M) required

    • Valid license plate required

    • Liability insurance required

    • Helmet required

    • Shoes required

    • Must obey all traffic laws

    • May be operated on public roads

    • Not permitted on public sidewalks

    • Must be equipped with functioning brakes




    Relevant Alabama Code


    • Definition of Electric Scooter: Alabama Code § 32-1-1.1(62)


    • Driver License Requirements: Alabama Code § 32-6-1


    • Motor Driven Cycle Licensing: Alabama Code § 32-12-22


    • Sidewalk Restrictions: Alabama Code § 32-5A-52


    • License Plate Requirements: Alabama Code § 32-6-51


    • Helmet and Footwear Requirements: Alabama Code § 32-12-22


    • Liability Insurance Requirements: Alabama Code § 32-7A-4

  • Electric Bike (e-bike)

    What is it? An electric bicycle is equipped with functional pedals and an electric motor that assists the rider while pedaling. Depending on the class of e-bike, motor assistance generally ends between 20 and 28 mph.


    If the bike is fully electric and does NOT have pedals or human assist in any way, it is classifed as a motorcycle.



    Rules and Requirements

    • Subject to the same rules as traditional bicycles

    • No driver's license required

    • No vehicle registration required

    • No insurance required

    • May be operated on public roads and designated bike lanes

    • Not permitted on public sidewalks

    • Riders under age 16 must wear a helmet



    Relevant Alabama Code


    • Definition of Electric Bicycle: Alabama Code § 32-5A-281


    • E Bike Classification and Operation: Alabama Code § 32-5A-280 through 32-5A-286

  • Golf Carts

    Golf Carts and Low Speed Vehicles (LSVs)


    Although they often look similar, golf carts and low speed vehicles are not the same under Alabama law.


    Golf Carts

    Golf carts are designed primarily for use on private property such as golf courses and private communities. Most do not have the safety equipment required for operation on public roads.


    Golf Cart Rules and Requirements (If NOT equipped as an LSV below)

    • Not street legal

    • Not permitted on public roads

    • Not permitted on public sidewalks

    • Intended for private property use only



    Low Speed Vehicle - LSV 

    A low speed vehicle is a four wheeled motor vehicle capable of reaching speeds up to 25 mph and equipped with federally required safety equipment. This can be a golf cart if equipped as below. If your golf cart does not match these requirements, it is NOT legal to operate on streets.


    LSV Required Equipment

    • Headlights

    • Taillights

    • Brake lights

    • Turn signals

    • Mirrors

    • Windshield

    • Seat belts

    • Horn


    LSV Rules and Requirements

    • Minimum operator age: 16

    • Valid driver's license required

    • License plate required

    • Liability insurance required

    • May be operated on public roads where permitted

    • Not permitted on public sidewalks



    Relevant Alabama Code


    • Definition and Equipment Requirements: Alabama Code § 32-1-1.1


    • Registration Requirements: Alabama Code Title 32


    • Liability Insurance Requirements: Alabama Code § 32-7A-4

  • Motorcycle

    What is it? A motorcycle is a motor/electric vehicle designed to travel on no more than three wheels and is equipped with a seat or saddle for the rider. It does not have pedals and does not use human assist.


    Rules and Requirements

    • Minimum operator age: 16

    • Motorcycle license (Class M) required

    • Valid license plate required

    • Liability insurance required

    • Helmet required

    • Shoes required

    • Must obey all traffic laws

    • May be operated on public roads

    • Not permitted on public sidewalks



    Relevant Alabama Code


    • Definition: Alabama Code § 32-12-20


    • Licensing Requirements: Alabama Code § 32-12-22


    • Helmet and Footwear Requirements: Alabama Code § 32-12-22


    • Liability Insurance Requirements: Alabama Code § 32-7A-4

  • Bicycle

    What is it?A bicycle is any device propelled by human power with two tandem wheels, at least one of which is more than 14 inches in diameter.


    Rules and Requirements

    • No minimum age requirement

    • No driver's license required

    • May be operated on public roads and designated bike lanes

    • Not permitted on public sidewalk

    • Riders under age 16 must wear a helmet



    Relevant Alabama Code


    • Bicycle Definition: Alabama Code § 32-1-1.1


    • Bicycle Rights and Duties: Alabama Code § 32-5A-260 through 32-5A-266

More

Improving Parking

July 20, 2026
As we work to make the most of public parking, the Homewood Police Department has hired a Parking Enforcement Officer. The goal is to help keep parking spaces available for everyone throughout the day. As a reminder, street parking in Homewood is limited to three hours. Specifically, please be mindful of the two designated ‘Law Enforcement’ parking spaces in front of SoHo Square, which must remain available for police use. There will be a short period where warnings will be issued to help everyone become familiar with the parking requirements before citations begin.

Active Shooter Training

July 15, 2026
You may see a large and very visible police presence around the campus and inside OLS over the next week or so. This is training.  The Homewood Police Department will be conducting active shooter response training on the campus of Our Lady of Sorrows School July 16 and 17 and July 20 through 24, from 9am to 3pm each day. This is part of HPD's annual training and will also include medical trauma treatment and first aid. We wanted to make sure you knew what was happening if you see the activity in the area.

Planning Commission July 14, 2026

July 15, 2026
The Planning Commission reviewed a proposed zoning definition for minor vehicle repair after concerns about vehicle-focused businesses along the Green Springs corridor. Discussion focused on whether the proposed definition was too broad and could affect specialized businesses or existing businesses that may become nonconforming. The commission recommended using a shorter definition focused on routine, low-impact vehicle services and removing the long list of examples. The amended recommendation passed 5 to 1 and now moves to the City Council. Agenda: https://bit.ly/4vQEikP

Scam Alert! Cyber-Criminals Impersonating City Officials

July 15, 2026
Scammers are becoming more sophisticated and may use the names of real City officials, employees or information from public meetings to make an email, text message or phone call appear legitimate. A familiar name or email does not mean the message is real. The City of Homewood will NEVER ask you to purchase gift cards, send cryptocurrency or make a personal payment to a City official or employee through an unsolicited email or text message. Cash and check are the only forms of payment currently accepted for Variance, Rezoning, Resurvey, and Development Plan applications. If you receive ANY request involving money, STOP and VERIFY it before responding. Call the City using THIS CONTACT INFO . DO NOT call a phone number included in the suspicious message. You could be calling the scammer back instead of a City official. And if you are still unsure, come see us! Visit City Hall, 4th Floor, and talk directly with our staff. We can help verify any request involving money. You can also verify using these emails: fred.goodwin@homewoodal.org emily.harrismiller@homewoodal.org If you are directed by City staff to send in your payemnt, use this information:  Attn: Department of Engineering and Zoning City of Homewood 2850 19th Street South, Fourth Floor Homewood, AL 35209

31 Tunnel - A Little History

July 14, 2026
The U.S. Highway 31 pedestrian tunnel is temporarily closed while it undergoes a major renovation. While crews are at work over the next few months, we thought it would be a good time to look back at the history of Homewood's longest-serving pedestrian connection. For more than 70 years, the tunnel has provided generations of Homewood families with a safe passage beneath a busy roadway. The tunnel was constructed in 1954 after widening of U.S. Highway 31, then known as Montgomery Highway. At the time, many students who attended Shades Cahaba Elementary lived on the west side of 31. Rather than requiring hundreds of children to cross a rapidly expanding highway at street level, community leaders pushed for a pedestrian underpass. To help make room for the tunnel's west entrance, Hill Food Store, the predecessor to today's Piggly Wiggly, provided a portion of its parking lot.

Pre-Council & Council Meetings July 13, 2026

July 14, 2026
Pre-Council Meeting - July 13, 2026

BZA Meeting July 9, 2026

July 10, 2026
The Board of Zoning Adjustments approved a variance for a family to build a therapeutic pool on Gran Ave. The variance allows a 105-square-foot increase in impervious surfacing. The applicant demonstrated the project would remain within the city's maximum allowable impervious surface coverage, at approximately 44.6%, while providing enough space for aquatic therapy for their son with cerebral palsy. The board denied a requested variance for a proposed condominium development on Courtney Drive after nearby residents raised concerns about traffic, alley access, and neighborhood impacts, while approving two separate requests for second story home additions on Ardsley Place and Peerless Avenue. Agenda: https://bit.ly/3SCceD3

US 31 Tunnel Closing

July 6, 2026
Beginning Monday, July 6, the U.S. 31 pedestrian tunnel near Piggly Wiggly will be closed on both ends as construction begins on a major renovation project. Construction is expected to take a few months to work on new landscaping, lighting, and other upgrades designed to create a safer and more welcoming connection for everyone walking through the area.

On-Demand Rides Now Available in Homewood

July 2, 2026
Microtransit is now available for Homewood residents, adding an on-demand option to move around our city from the Birmingham Transit Authority (BJCTA). It works just like ride sharing whereby riders will be able to request a trip through an app and get picked up nearby, with routes designed in real time to keep trips efficient and wait times low. The service provides point-to-point transportation anywhere within the city limits for just $1.50 per trip. For more details, GO HERE. How this pilot program is being funded?  The initial phase, running from July 2026 through September 2027, is fully funded through the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham , at about $792,000. This allows the city to launch the service without immediate long-term cost commitments. After that, projected annual costs are expected to be around $610,000 to $630,000, depending on how the service is adjusted according to our needs. This pilot approach gives Homewood time to see how people actually use the system, where demand is strongest, and how the service can be refined. It also keeps flexibility built in, with the ability to adjust hours, coverage, and fleet size based on real data. You can VIEW THE PRESENTATION presented to the Council on April 13, 2026.

A Safe Place to Meet

July 1, 2026
It's not just the temperatures rising this summer, online buying and selling is hot too. Which means more people are meeting strangers to complete transactions. If that's you, consider meeting at a safe location. As a reminder, the Homewood Police Department offers an official 'Community Meetup Spot' in the parking lot in their parking lot. The designated exchange area is located just to the left as you enter the parking lot and is marked by two parking spaces with green lines. It is a well lit area with security cameras, and of course, police officers all around you. This is an easy way to protect yourself and the other person.
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