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Residents press Cocoa Beach to step up enforcement for high‑speed e‑bikes and scooters
Summary
Residents and commissioners pressed city staff for stronger enforcement and explored registration or decals after multiple reports of high‑speed e‑bikes and unsafe riding on Minuteman Causeway and beaches; police reported a zero‑tolerance enforcement stance and targeted ticketing.
Multiple residents told the Cocoa Beach City Commission they are alarmed by high‑speed e‑bikes and scooters on Minuteman Causeway and neighborhood sidewalks, and the commission asked staff to evaluate enforcement options including possible registration or decals.
Keith Capizzi, a resident speaking during public comment, described riders "doing wheelies" and traveling at speeds he estimated at 30 mph, saying "someone's gonna get killed." Police and staff replied that the city had set a 15 mph limit on Minuteman Causeway and that officers have been ticketing dirt‑bike style bicycles; the police representative said the department has been conducting targeted enforcement, outreach to schools and issuing notices.
Commissioners discussed whether the city could legally require registration or a decal for e‑bikes as a means of identifying owners, citing examples from other countries where small tags are used. City Attorney Becky Vos said she would research the legal options. Several commissioners also proposed studying whether the 15 mph speed limit could be extended to beach areas. The commission did not adopt a new ordinance during the meeting but directed staff and the city attorney to research registration, enforcement mechanisms and potential beach speed limits.
Next steps: City Attorney to research legal feasibility of e‑bike registration/decals; police to continue targeted enforcement and outreach to schools and parents.
