Coral Springs approves ordinance allowing limited e-bikes, scooters on sidewalks with speed and yielding rules

The Coral Springs City Commission unanimously approved an amendment to the city code (section 18-5.3) on Sept. 25 that allows certain motorized bicycles, micro-mobility devices and motorized scooters to operate on sidewalks under restricted conditions. Under the new rules approved by the commission, operators must yield and slow to 5 miles per hour when within 25 feet of a pedestrian on a shared sidewalk. Presenters and commissioners said the ordinance also sets a reduced general maximum speed for sidewalk operation (discussion referenced a 15-mile-per-hour operational limit for some contexts) and retains the operator’s option to use the roadway if they choose to travel at higher speeds or to use a different device. Staff said the change balances safety and access for growing numbers of youth and residents using e-bikes and e-scooters. The item followed public comments from two residents who said they feared higher speeds and the risk to pedestrians; one speaker suggested sidewalk riders should travel with traffic direction to reduce surprise approaches. City staff outlined an education-focused rollout: marketing and communications will produce palm cards and a short video to be distributed through schools and principal contacts; the police department will document incidents and citations and report back to the commission on a monthly basis. The city attorney and staff said the ordinance provides enforcement tools under the city code, and that violations would be municipal ordinance offenses. The police department indicated the penalty would be the standard city ordinance fine (discussed in the meeting as $37.50), with an initial emphasis on warnings and education. During discussion commissioners urged targeted enforcement and outreach to school-age riders and suggested cooperation between police and the fire chief’s public safety education programs. Commissioner Sarah asked staff to provide monthly tracking of citations and incidents so the commission can adjust rules as needed. The commission adopted the ordinance on a 5-0 vote and directed staff to begin the education campaign prior to broader enforcement. The precise code text adopted includes the yield-and-slow provision: “Any person operating a [bicycle, micro mobility device, or motorized scooter] shall yield and slow their speed to 5 miles an hour when they're within 25 feet of a pedestrian on the shared sidewalk.”