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Council discusses scooter rules: sidewalks, age limits, education and enforcement left for staff to draft ordinance
Summary
Councilmembers directed staff and police to draft a scooter ordinance that would allow scooters on sidewalks with restrictions, prioritize education and warnings, require helmets and lights in some situations, and propose age and speed limits; no ordinance was adopted at the meeting.
The Brandon City Council spent an extended portion of the meeting discussing a proposed scooter ordinance and directed city staff and the police department to draft a formal ordinance reflecting council guidance. Councilors signaled general support for allowing scooters on sidewalks in many places, with safety limits, an education program, and an enforcement approach emphasizing warnings before citations.
Council and staff discussed several operational questions the ordinance must resolve: whether scooters may be ridden on sidewalks, whether to set age minimums or require sidewalk use for younger riders, speed limits for sidewalk riding, required lighting at night, helmet requirements and an education program for parents and children. Staff circulated a draft ordinance from an earlier meeting and sought council guidance on those items.
Councilors expressed a preference for keeping younger riders off streets where a sidewalk is available. One councilor summarized a likely approach: allow sidewalk use for younger riders and require education. Staff and police recommended a staged enforcement approach that emphasizes education first, then warnings, and then citations if problems persist. The school resource officer was suggested as a partner for public education sessions.
Detective Andrew Meslowski, speaking for Brandon Police Department, outlined procedures for contacting parents when juveniles are stopped: "Typically, with juveniles...we get parents' name...and we contact parents that way. So even if they don't know their parents' phone numbers, we can just get their name and should be able to find it that way." The department also described using warning notices and mailed letters as follow‑up rather than immediate citations in many cases.
On technical points, council members discussed a sidewalk speed cap in the 15‑mph range, keeping scooters off downtown sidewalks during low‑light hours unless equipped with lights, and requiring helmets for younger riders. Council did not adopt an ordinance at the meeting; staff and police were asked to prepare a draft ordinance for future consideration and to propose education and enforcement mechanisms.
