South Florida communities are continuing to adopt new rules aimed at improving safety as electric bicycles and scooters become more common on local roads, bike lanes and sidewalks.
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On Tuesday, Miami-Dade County Commissioners approved new regulations governing e-bikes and scooters on the Rickenbacker Causeway, a county roadway that has been the scene of serious and fatal crashes involving the vehicles.
Under the new rules, e-bikes and scooters are limited to a maximum speed of 20 mph. Riders are prohibited from operating the vehicles on sidewalks and may only use designated bike lanes or the roadway.
Officials say the changes are intended to reduce the risk of collisions between riders, pedestrians and motorists.
The issue has taken on greater urgency following several high-profile incidents across South Florida.
Police say a teenager riding an electric dirt bike on the Rickenbacker Causeway struck and killed a bicyclist.
Miami Beach has also experienced fatal crashes involving electric scooters.
Other municipalities are adopting similar restrictions. Sunny Isles Beach recently enacted regulations banning e-bikes and scooters from sidewalks and requiring riders to be at least 16 years old.
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“We don’t want to see our children getting hurt, we don’t want to see innocent bystanders that are just walking on the street,” said Sunny Isles Beach Police Lt. Melissa Porra. “Most of our residents here, I believe, are going to really listen and are going to comply.”
Local governments are also working to educate residents about the new rules while warning of significant penalties for violations.
Fines can reach $250 for a first offense and $500 for subsequent infractions.
Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado said additional action may be needed and encouraged more cities to adopt similar measures.
“I am happy to draft an ordinance for cities to opt in, but it needs to have a lot of things that are not in this ordinance because this ordinance came after two years of working with Key Biscayne,” Regalado said.
Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Coral Springs are among the South Florida cities that have already implemented regulations addressing e-bikes and scooters as officials look for ways to improve safety for riders and pedestrians alike.
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