Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety Active Transportation topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bonita Springs directs staff to draft ordinance for pedal-only zones and e-bike regulation in high-pedestrian areas
Summary
Council directed staff and the city attorney to research options and draft an ordinance to establish "pedal-only" zones (where only manually pedaled bicycles are allowed) and other e-bike restrictions or speed limits in high-pedestrian areas such as downtown, following repeated complaints about safety and speeds.
After several council members and staff noted safety complaints about motorized and electric bicycles operating on sidewalks and in high-pedestrian areas, Bonita Springs City Council directed staff to coordinate with the city attorney, community development and public works to draft an ordinance and return with a presentation and proposed code language.
Council member Corey and others described incidents of fast-moving, quiet e-bikes on sidewalks and in event areas. Council members and staff noted that while state law constrains some municipal regulation of e-bikes, municipalities may create pedal-only zones and other localized rules in areas with heavy pedestrian traffic.
Council requested a substantive presentation and an advertising-ready ordinance for future consideration so the city can adopt enforceable rules that promote safety for pedestrians and cyclists. Police enforcement and the mechanics of ticketing e-bike infractions were discussed as potential implementation challenges; council asked staff to include enforcement and signage options in the return presentation.
Next steps: City staff and the city attorney will compile examples from other Florida jurisdictions (including Collier County's recent work), draft an ordinance and present both a staff report and draft ordinance at a future meeting for council action.
