E-bike class two and three registration for shared use path moves to second reading
By MEGHAN BRADBURY
mbradbury@breezenewspapers.com
The Sanibel City Council moved an electric bicycle registration ordinance to a second reading for class two and class three e-bikes to be operated on bicycle paths or shared use paths with a city-issued permit.
The discussion was had at the City Council’s Tuesday, Nov. 3, meeting.
The ordinance states that there is a “limited exception to the prohibition” for a person 16 or older when they obtain a shared use path access permit, a program established by the City Council for operating class two or class three electric bicycles on the city bicycle path or shared use path. The city issued permit is for Sanibel residents, Sanibel ad valorem taxpayers and those employed with the City of Sanibel.
The second reading will be held Tuesday, Dec. 1. If approved, the program would go into effect Jan. 22, 2027.
Vice Mayor John Henshaw questioned only having registration for class two and three, but not class one.
“If someone comes from off island and wants to ride class one, two and three, how can you distinguish? Can you distinguish between one, two or three?” he asked.
Sanibel Police Department Chief Bill Dalton said the e-bikes can be very deceptive of what class.
“We will do the best we can with this. I don’t know how it is going to go,” he said.
Henshaw said for ease of everybody, all e-bikes should be registered. He said the only obstacle would be people coming onto the island with their electric bikes and getting them registered.
“If you can’t enforce it, is it going to be worth it? In my view, it wouldn’t be worth it,” Henshaw said.
Sanibel City Manager Dana Souza said the first conversation was recommending class one, two and three be registered. He said they are happy to move back to that.
Souza said each have their own set of challenges.
“There are some advantages of having a class one labeled because class one and three look similar,” he said.
Councilmember Holly Smith said she could not support registration for what they already have as legal for class one e-bikes. She said they should look back after a season and see what happens.
“I support it as written. Class one is already legal to anyone,” she said.
Mayor Mike Miller said any enforcement pertaining to e-bikes is very difficult.
“Is there a substantial benefit in terms of enforcing labeling an e-bike?” he asked.
Dalton said he understands both sides of the coin, and they will do the best job they can with whatever direction the council provides.
Councilmember Richard Johnson argued that they are trying to regulate a device when they should be looking at behavior. With that said, he does not want to force residents, employees and business owners who are utilizing class two or three e-bikes on the roadways, which can trigger road rage and result in a potential accident.
“Chief, I feel your pain. We are putting you in a somewhat difficult position in regard to class two and three e-bikes on our shared use path,” he said.
Johnson said his concern is the aggravation factor of residents and visitors having to register a class one bike to operate it on the shared use path.
“I understand what we are trying to do. I have concerns about how this is going to play out with the chief and his staff. We should be regulating behavior,” he said.
Dalton agreed that it is a difficult place to be, but Sanibel is not the only place dealing with the issue.
“Communities nationwide are struggling and having problems enforcing it,” he said. “As more people get hurt, the community and society is becoming more acceptant to the fact that we have to regulate this.”
Dalton said they can experience it for a season.
“I may come back and say I need some help,” he said.
Councilmember Laura DeBruce recused herself from the conversation.