Fort Myers Beach panel backs recommendation to allow bikes, e-bikes on marked shared sidewalks

The Fort Myers Beach Public Safety Committee voted Feb. 20 to send Town Council a recommendation to rescind the town ordinance banning e-bikes on sidewalks and to create marked shared sidewalk lanes from Times Square to Red Coconut.

The recommendation, approved by the committee, asks for temporary painted markings that separate a three-foot bike path (on the sidewalk) from a larger pedestrian space, repeated signage that instructs riders to “go with the flow of traffic,” and a later, more permanent redesign if Lee County resurfaces Estero Boulevard. Committee members described the painted-striping option as a short-term measure and a railing or reconfigured curb-and-bike-lane as a longer-term, higher-cost solution.

The committee’s proposal would allow both regular bicycles and rental e-bikes on the marked sidewalk portion, set a suggested speed limit for sidewalk riding (committee members discussed “no more than 10 miles an hour”), and call for designated “no-ride” zones in…