Miami-Dade, South Florida cities tighten e-bike and scooter rules amid safety concerns
Key Points(5)
- South Florida communities are introducing stricter regulations for electric bicycles and scooters as the vehicles become increasingly common on local roads, bike lanes and sidewalks, with officials citing concerns about rider, pedestrian and motorist safety.
- On Tuesday, Miami-Dade County commissioners approved new rules for e-bikes and scooters on the Rickenbacker Causeway, a county roadway that has been the site of several serious and fatal crashes involving the vehicles.
- Under the new regulations, e-bikes and scooters traveling on the causeway are limited to a maximum speed of 20 mph.
- Riders are prohibited from using sidewalks and must operate only in designated bike lanes or on the roadway.
- Officials said the changes are designed to reduce collisions and create safer conditions for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.
South Florida communities are introducing stricter regulations for electric bicycles and scooters as the vehicles become increasingly common on local roads, bike lanes and sidewalks, with officials citing concerns about rider, pedestrian and motorist safety.
On Tuesday, Miami-Dade County commissioners approved new rules for e-bikes and scooters on the Rickenbacker Causeway, a county roadway that has been the site of several serious and fatal crashes involving the vehicles.
Under the new regulations, e-bikes and scooters traveling on the causeway are limited to a maximum speed of 20 mph. Riders are prohibited from using sidewalks and must operate only in designated bike lanes or on the roadway.
Officials said the changes are designed to reduce collisions and create safer conditions for cyclists, pedestrians and drivers.
The action follows several high-profile incidents involving electric vehicles across South Florida. Police previously said a teenager riding an electric dirt bike on the Rickenbacker Causeway struck and killed a bicyclist. Miami Beach has also reported fatal crashes involving electric scooters.
Miami-Dade Commissioner Raquel Regalado said additional measures may be needed throughout the county and encouraged municipalities to adopt similar regulations.
“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.
Other communities have already moved to impose their own restrictions.
Sunny Isles Beach recently approved an ordinance aimed at strengthening safety requirements for e-bike riders. The rules prohibit e-bikes and scooters on sidewalks, require riders to be at least 16 years old and mandate that operators carry a government-issued ID while riding.
The city defines an e-bike as a bicycle or tricycle with fully operable pedals, a seat or saddle, a maximum speed of 28 mph and an electric motor producing less than 750 watts.
Sunny Isles Beach officials said enforcement tickets will begin being issued Aug. 16. Violators face fines of $250 for a first offense and $500 for subsequent violations.
“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.”
Miami Beach, Key Biscayne and Coral Springs are among the other South Florida municipalities that have implemented regulations addressing e-bike and scooter use.
Officials across the region said education will be a key part of enforcement efforts as cities work to balance the growing popularity of electric mobility options with the need to protect public safety.
