Hollywood Commission advances scooter, e‑micromobility rules with 15 mph limit and rental ban

The Hollywood City Commission voted unanimously on first reading to adopt an ordinance updating the city’s traffic code to regulate motorized scooters and micro‑mobility devices and to prohibit rental operations.

Police Chief Devlin told the commission the ordinance was revised to improve enforceability and to align with Florida statute, including a 15‑mile‑per‑hour speed maximum, mandatory reflectors and lights, and the same equipment rules that apply to bicycles. “Once they’re on a sidewalk, yes, it’s 15 miles an hour, but they have to yield to pedestrians,” Chief Devlin said.

Vice Mayor Calari, who moved the measure, and other commissioners emphasized safety education. Calari said staff will pursue public‑safety PSAs and school outreach on reflectors and lights. Commissioner Hernandez noted a helmet requirement for riders 16 and under and urged coordination with school resource officers for safety messaging.

Several commissioners asked staff to return with more research on targeted restrictions for high‑pedestrian areas. Commissioner Schuham requested a brief pause to explore whether other Florida cities prohibit scooter use on sidewalks in downtown cores; she said she would prefer carving out heavy‑pedestrian sidewalks if possible. Commissioner Quintana asked that PSAs also target motorists to encourage courtesy toward micromobility users.

City staff and HPD told commissioners they could enforce reckless operation regardless of the numeric speed limit and that downtown, high‑conflict sidewalks could be addressed through a later resolution or focused ordinance amendment. Following that exchange the commission read the ordinance and carried it unanimously on first reading.

Next steps: staff will prepare additional analysis of downtown sidewalk options and coordinate proposed education efforts with the county MPO and school partners before second reading.