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Flagler Beach adopts rules for e‑bikes, scooters and similar devices; amendments added for beach and trail limits
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Summary
The commission approved an ordinance regulating electric bicycles, scooters and motorized skateboards, extending sidewalk prohibitions and asking staff to add speed, age and geographic clarifications (including north/south 10th Street beach limits); the measure passed unanimously with direction to incorporate commissioners' changes for second reading.
The Flagler Beach City Commission voted unanimously March 12 to approve an ordinance regulating bicycles, electric bicycles (e‑bikes), motorized scooters, motorized skateboards and similar devices. The first reading incorporated elements already on the books (no e‑bikes on sidewalks) and extended similar sidewalk prohibitions to scooters and motorized skateboards; commissioners asked staff to refine age and speed limits, add definitions for newer micro‑mobility devices, and consider geographic exceptions and enforcement provisions for the beach and multi‑use trails.
Commissioner Santore proposed age and class distinctions for e‑bikes (for example, raising minimum age for higher‑speed class 3 bikes), and suggested an absolute speed limit on city bike paths; staff and the city attorney cautioned that staggered age limits tied to technical bike class could create enforcement challenges for police. Commissioners proposed geographic specificity modeled on the city's dog regulations (for example, restricting certain devices in high‑pedestrian zones between north and south 10th streets) so enforcement efforts could focus on congested areas while allowing leisurely riding at less congested beach segments.
Public comment included riders who said pedal‑assist class 1 e‑bikes used responsibly should not be broadly banned, and residents who asked for more constraint on high‑speed devices in crowded areas. The commission asked staff to incorporate the board’s edits and return the ordinance for second reading with the suggested refinements and public education steps prior to stronger enforcement. The motion to move forward with those amendments passed unanimously.
