It was as if a time warp had kicked in, to the time before lithium batteries had been invented, so devoid of e-bikes and scooters were the streets of Key Biscayne.
In the first two days after an emergency ban on the micromobility devices, island roads were almost devoid of the vehicles, a level of compliance that surprised some.
“0 tickets,” said Police Chief Frank Sousa Saturday night. The ban was adopted after the death of a beloved tutor, Megan Andrews, on Valentine’s Day. Authorities have ruled the crash between her unpowered bike and an e-bike –operated by a 12-old boy — an accident.
On the Village Green Saturday, Officer Marcos Diaz was stationed in his marked SUV. A boy, wearing a motorcycle helmet and walking an e-bike, approached tentatively.
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Diaz hopped out of his car, smiling and friendly.
“You’re doing the right thing,” Diaz said, responding to a softly asked question that e-bikes were allowed on Crandon Blvd. only. He patted the boy on the helmet and sent him on his way.
Diaz had a stack of color flyers on hand, ready to pass out to any riders he might encounter. He said several were given out near MAST Academy, warning of the ban.
Before the Village Council adopted the ban Friday, Mayor Joe Rasco said he had connected with local school principals to tell them action was coming. In the hours before the ban, many kids with their backpacks strapped on, had made their way on scooters to school.
During the debate, Vice Mayor Allison McCormick said she expected noncompliance — so much so that the Council will consider a permanent ban in March, along with a measure allowing e-bikes and scooters to be impounded.
But for the first two days, at least, island streets were clear of silent but speedy devices — just a few unpowered bicycles, rollerbladers, and joggers. And a group of children setting up what appeared to be a lemonade stand in front of a home.
A time warp, indeed.
“What a breath of fresh air,” commented Luis de la Cruz, a former council member. “Not having a Mad Max-like landscape of e-bikes to deal with in our island paradise. “
Left in a lurch, however, are the riders — many of them adults — who depended on micromobility devices to commute.
The Key Biscayne Chamber of Commerce suggested those commuters use the bus or Freebee.
Officials said state law only granted the Village an all-or-nothing option — the law did not allow Key Biscayne to pass age or license restrictions. A bill, proposed by State Rep. Vicki Lopez that would have allowed more nuanced regulation died in the Florida Legislature a year ago.
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Tony Winton is the editor-in-chief of the Key Biscayne Independent and president of Miami Fourth Estate, Inc. He worked previously at The Associated Press for three decades winning multiple Edward R. Murrow awards. He was president of the News Media Guild, a journalism union, for 10 years. Born in Chicago, he is a graduate of Columbia University. His interests are photography and technology, sailing, cooking, and science fiction.