Palm Beach weighing more limits on e-bikes, scooters: Here's what's currently allowed
A town committee will take a look at regulations that place limits on the use of bicycles and electric mobility devices on Palm Beach's roadways and sidewalks.
At the direction of the Town Council, the Ordinance, Rules and Standards Committee will review current laws that prohibit bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters on public sidewalks and roads in the town's commercial zoning districts, and consider whether to expand or alter those laws to include areas outside those districts.
The board also will look at limiting the popular Lake Trail to pedestrians only.
Currently, bicycles are permitted on the 5.5-mile trail that runs from South Lake Drive near Peruvian Avenue to just north of the Sailfish Club, but electric mobility devices are not.
Related: Woman injured in scooter crash spurs reminder about motorized vehicles on Lake Trail in Palm Beach
At their March 14 meeting at Town Hall, council members acknowledged that not everyone who uses the Lake Trail abides by the rules, and Police Chief Nick Caristo added that his department has received an increasing number of complaints regarding the use of electric mobility devices on the Trail and on public sidewalks.
"We all realize the problems," Council President Maggie Zeidman told her colleagues. "Let's send this to ORS and get a bigger dive into it."
Council members Julie Araskog and Ted Cooney compose the Ordinance, Rules & Standards Committee.
Araskog, who is the committee's chairwoman, asked for the issue to be placed on the council's agenda because she was concerned about the safety of residents.
"I've witnessed someone being hit between the Breakers and Bethesda-by-the-Sea," she said. "My concern is for residents who are walking on Worth Avenue and witnessing people being hit or almost being hit themselves on the sidewalks. It's getting dangerous, and I think that's a scary thing."
What does current town law permit and prohibit when it comes to bicycles and electric mobility devices on Palm Beach's roadways and sidewalks, and what changes could the Town Council potentially make to these ordinances?
Regulations for public roadways and sidewalks
Any mode of travel, other than walking, on sidewalks in commercial zoning districts is prohibited, though an exception exists for mobility devices for disabled persons.
Reckless or careless roller skating, and the use of skateboards on any public road or sidewalk, is prohibited.
Regulations for the Lake Trail
Any motor-driven vehicle, which includes e-bikes, e-scooters, and Segways, is prohibited.
Motor-driven or animal-drawn vehicles are prohibited, with exceptions for the operation of police vehicles, public works vehicles, and vehicles operated in accordance with a valid public works permit.
No regulations
Bicycles are permitted on the Lake Trail.
Outside of the town's commercial zoning districts, bicycles and electric mobility devices are permitted on public sidewalks or roadways, aside from the standard Florida State Statutes, such as duty to yield to pedestrians, audible warnings on passing, and other rules.
What modifications the Town Council could consider
Prohibit bicycles on the Lake Trail, leaving it for pedestrian use only.
Prohibit bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters on public sidewalks and roads outside the town's commercial zoning districts.
Improve signage on the Lake Trail that advises users what types of mobility devices are not permitted.
Increase efforts to educate residents and guests on town rules regarding the use of mobility devices.
What challenges the Town Council could face in modifying the rules
Despite the town's efforts to make non-residents more aware of the rules, those who rent bicycles and other mobility devices on the island often are not familiar with them.
Town Police have stepped up patrols of the Lake Trail, but it's not possible to catch everybody who is violating the rules, Caristo said.
Council members agreed that the use of motorized mobility devices in some areas of town have become a safety hazard, but they also acknowledged the difficulties they will face in crafting and implementing new town rules to regulate them.
Ted Cooney, whose father, John, was struck by a mobility device recently on the Lake Trail, said that the town lacks the resources to step up enforcement of its rules, particularly on the popular Lake Trail.
Restrictions on motorized vehicles have been in place there since 1982.
"The use of the trail has surged dramatically post-COVID," Cooney said. "We likely don't have the resources to be policing day-to-day activities on a trail that's not visible from other rights-of-way. I get a ton of quality-of-life complaints."
Council member Bobbie Lindsay said improving signage on the Lake Trail could be helpful in keeping motorized devices away.
"The signage says no motorized vehicles, and that's interpreted as something different," she said. "I think we have to be more specific with our signage and simply say that no electric bikes, no electric scooters and no electric skateboards are permitted. Whatever we want to do, we need to say it. Otherwise, they're there. The bikes and the scooters are the ones that are going the fastest."
Jodie Wagner is a journalist at the Palm Beach Daily News, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at jwagner@pbdailynews.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Daily News: Palm Beach to consider more limits on e-bikes, scooters on public roads
