Miami bans e-bikes and scooters from public sidewalks
Key Points(5)
- Miami commissioners have unanimously approved new regulations prohibiting electric bicycles and motorized scooters from public sidewalks, with the rules expected to take effect in early November.
- The ordinance was approved on Oct.
- 22, 2026, and introduces restrictions on where the devices can be operated, their speed and how they are parked.
- Violators could face a US$100 fine.
- Under the new rules, riders must use designated bike lanes where available or streets and rights-of-way under the city’s jurisdiction with posted speed limits of 30 mph or less.
Miami commissioners have unanimously approved new regulations prohibiting electric bicycles and motorized scooters from public sidewalks, with the rules expected to take effect in early November.
The ordinance was approved on Oct. 22, 2026, and introduces restrictions on where the devices can be operated, their speed and how they are parked. Violators could face a US$100 fine.
Under the new rules, riders must use designated bike lanes where available or streets and rights-of-way under the city’s jurisdiction with posted speed limits of 30 mph or less. Covered devices will be subject to a maximum operating speed of 20 mph on those routes.
Riders must be at least 16 years old to operate the devices on streets and rights-of-way and carry valid government-issued photo identification.
The regulations also restrict sidewalk parking to designated areas and require riders to leave at least three feet of clear passage for pedestrians. The restrictions do not prohibit people from walking while pushing their devices.
The rules apply to public routes under the City of Miami’s jurisdiction and do not establish a uniform policy for all roads across Miami-Dade County. Wheelchairs and other mobility devices covered by the ordinance’s Americans with Disabilities Act provision are excluded.
Miami Police Chief Edwin Lopez said officers would be able to issue US$100 citations for violations, although authorities would prioritize educating riders to encourage compliance.
The measure follows concerns about safety incidents involving electric bikes and scooters in South Florida. Miami Fire-Rescue data cited in reports showed 1,380 micromobility-related incidents between September 2024 and September 2026, including 418 cases requiring hospitalization and at least 86 involving head injuries.
The debate has also drawn support from pedestrians who say fast-moving devices on sidewalks create safety concerns. Miami resident Johnathan Barahona, who walks to work, said he disliked having to watch for scooters and electric bikes approaching from behind.
Commissioner Rolando Escalona spearheaded the measure alongside Lopez, amid growing concerns about crashes involving the devices.
The city’s published ordinance record indicates that the measure was adopted with changes, with the final wording still awaiting legal approval. The rules may therefore differ from the posted draft.
