With the death of a beloved resident still stinging, Key Bicayne’s Village Council voted to extend a temporary ban on e-bikes and scooters on local streets for another 60 days. But it remains to be seen how far the Village will go in crafting a permanent ordinance for micromobility devices.
Megan Andrews, a beloved local tutor, died in a crash between her unpowered bicycle and an e-bike ridden by a 12-year-old Feb. 14. Though police ruled it accidental, island officials passed an “emergency” ordinance banning the battery-powered devices two days later. The micromobility devices are still allowed on Crandon Boulevard.
Council members have yet to consider a permanent ordinance, however. That’s because they are trying to dovetail it with parallel legislation making its way at the County level.
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The County ordinance, which passed a key committee Monday, could eventually let Key Biscayne create its own rules for Crandon Boulevard, an unprecedented delegation of County regulatory power to the Village. The County’s law would initially ban e-bikes and scooters from sidewalks, but allow operation in Crandon’s bike lanes at a maximum speed of 20 mph.
But the Village could create stricter Crandon rules. Village Attorney Chad Friedman laid out a timetable that might mean a final Key Biscayne ordinance would come for a vote in August or September, just in time for political season.
“If the Council desires to be more restrictive than the County ordinance on Crandon, we have to actually include those regulations in our ordinance. So that’s why we’re, we’re trying to time it up with them,” Friedman said.
While there was unanimity in extending the current temporary ban, the question of what would be permitted under a permanent ordinance is not clear, and the community appears divided on whether some micromobility uses should be restored.
A KBI reader survey last month found that while there was broad support for keeping scooters and e-bikes off the sidewalks, usage in streets was viewed differently — especially if age restrictions could later be added to the mix. But age limit legislation has failed –twice – to pass the Florida Legislature.
Indeed, at Monday’s County committee meeting, a transit advocate said the island’s ban was ill-considered and should be stopped because it limits affordable new transportation technology.
Louisa Conway, an unsuccessful council candidate who many believe is considering another run for office in November, also said the Council should not ban e-bikes in the permanent ordinance.
“I’m hoping that you’ll start to think through people’s transportation needs. And this is another option. Micromobility devices are here to stay,” she said.
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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.