Town leaders are considering a new ordinance that would allow electric bicycles (e-bikes) to ride on sidewalks on Fort Myers Beach, up to a max speed of 15 mph, instead of sharing the road with cars.
E-bikes have become a more common sight on Fort Myers Beach. The town says some riders say the roads are too dangerous for cyclists, but not everyone is convinced that sidewalks are the safer route.
Some beachgoers say the sidewalks are already too crowded for this plan to work.
"No, not during season," said Laura Quinn, who lives in Estero. "I mean, look at the crowds down here now ... I don't think 15 mph on a sidewalk should be acceptable. It's just too fast ... too easy for an accident to happen."
The proposed rules require e-bike riders to slow to a crawl (1-3 mph) and give an audible warning before overtaking pedestrians. If there are sidewalks on both sides of the street, e-bikes must use the right-side sidewalk in the same direction as traffic.
"Just like every year somebody dies every year on the street when they're riding the bike, somebody will get hit on the sidewalk," said
Rob Armfield, who lives near the beach and owns an e-bike. "I think they should be allowed on sidewalks if they turn the power off. Pedal, go slow and don't be an idiot."
Electric scooters, hoverboards, and other motorized gadgets would still be banned from sidewalks. If the ordinance passes, the town will issue penalties for riders who don’t follow the rules.
The town’s first public hearing on the issue is set for March 3. Anyone with opinions about e-bikes on sidewalks is invited to make their voice heard.