Commission approves e‑bike rules on first reading; resident urges updated transportation plan

The City Commission of the City of Sunny Isles Beach on first reading approved an ordinance to add regulations for electric bicycles within the city’s jurisdiction, with a second reading scheduled for July.

Staff told the commission the change updates chapter 256 of the city code to provide specific rules and enforcement for e‑bikes. Resident Stephen Hirs, who identified himself and gave his address, told commissioners he supported the ordinance “relating to promoting pedestrian safety on our sidewalks,” but urged the city to update its 2016 Transportation Master Plan because “the report predates e‑scooters, micromobility devices, app‑based on‑demand transit” and traffic patterns have changed since the study’s 2014–15 counts.

Commissioner Joseph said his original position had been to ban e‑scooters and e‑bikes in the city given safety concerns on streets and sidewalks, but he said policies can be tightened later if needed. Vice Mayor Viscaro noted that initial enforcement and warnings had produced “zero violations” so far from police and code staff. After brief commissioner remarks and no further public speakers, a motion and second carried the ordinance on first reading; the commission recorded unanimous support and set the second reading for July.