Coconut Creek tables first-reading ordinance to restrict e-bikes, scooters and mobility devices in city parks for one month

The Coconut Creek City Commission received a first reading of Ordinance 2025-033 on Sept. 11, an amendment to the city code that would prohibit electric bicycles, motorized mobility devices and motorized scooters on sidewalks, bike paths, greenways and trails within city-owned parks, except on park roads and in designated parking areas for parking purposes only. After substantial debate about scope, enforcement and consequences the commission voted to table the ordinance for one month and asked the city manager to return with a report.

Details of the ordinance: City Attorney Pieper (recorded in the meeting as presenting the ordinance) summarized the proposed code changes to chapter 15 (Parks and Recreation). The draft would add definitions for “electric bike,” “motorized mobility device” and “motorized scooter,” and would prohibit their operation on sidewalks, bike paths, greenways and trails located within city-owned parks. The ordinance as drafted calls for a warning on a first offense and authorizes trespass for repeat violations.

Enforcement and penalties: City staff explained that the added language in Section 15-37 would allow an officer to trespass a person from the park in which the violation occurred for up to one year. City Attorney Pieper and staff noted that state law requires a warning before trespass is enforced and that an officer would determine whether a person had failed to comply with a warning.

Commission debate: Commissioners expressed mixed views. Commissioner Riedell opposed the ordinance as written and said it was “legislating to legislate,” arguing that mandatory language (“shall”) could force officers into outcomes that may be excessive for the behavior documented in Coconut Creek. Commissioner Bridal, Commissioner Brody and Commissioner Welch said they supported safety goals but wanted the ordinance narrowed or clarified to avoid unintended consequences for adults and greenway users. Commissioners pressed staff on whether greenways are considered park property (staff confirmed greenways can be part of city-owned parks). Several commissioners recommended refining the ordinance to exclude regional greenways or to target high-pedestrian locations, park fields and areas with concert/activity congestion rather than a blanket prohibition.

Evidence and public comment: Commissioner Welch referenced a neighboring municipality’s experience with education-first enforcement; that city issued only three $200 citations in six months after an education campaign. Several commissioners called for signage and an education period. John Hendricks, a resident, told the commission he had been passed “at a high rate of speed” by a teenage rider on an electrified scooter near the community center and said the near-miss motivated him to speak to the commission.

Concerns about scope and consequences: Commissioners asked whether trespass warnings would apply per-park (staff said yes — a trespass would apply to the specific park where the violation occurred) and whether repeated warnings across multiple parks could compound. Staff and commissioners also discussed the difference between small consumer e-bikes and larger motorized vehicles that may require registration; officers noted larger vehicles may be handled through traffic enforcement rather than park trespass.

Action taken: The commission moved to table the ordinance for one month and directed the city manager to prepare a report for the Oct. 1 meeting (the commission’s direction was to return with options and recommended language). The motion to table carried on a roll call vote with Commissioners Riedell, Welch, Bridal, Vice Mayor Wasserman and Mayor Railey voting yes.

Next steps: Staff will craft revised language or alternative enforcement approaches, consider targeted park rules or an education campaign, and return with a report and recommended changes by the next meeting. Commissioners suggested interim actions such as enhanced signage and use of park rules for specific high-traffic locations while staff refines the ordinance.

Ending: The ordinance remains at first reading and is not enacted; the commission asked staff to return with a report and recommended revisions to reconcile safety objectives with practical enforcement and to avoid unintended impacts on adults and greenway users.