Proposed e-bike program would be nightmare
To the editor:
I am writing in regards to the city of Sanibel’s potential new “e-bike program.”
Our family moved here full time in 2021 and we love being outdoors. Not a day goes by that we are not on the Shared Use Path (SUP). Our 14- and 16-year-old boys are outside on their e-bikes as much as possible and even ride them to and from work. It seems 14 should be the age that they are to be allowed to ride one given that’s the age they can start working. Obviously, if a parent doesn’t want that then that’s ultimately up to them. We have found that by them having the e-bikes, it keeps them out of the house where they’d be sitting and playing video games. Now they have freedom and can ride around with their friends to explore the island, fish and work. They started out on regular bikes but found they could go further and do more on an e-bike. Also, if they are biking to work they aren’t sweaty and gross when they arrive.
I walk my baby and small dog on the SUP every morning. I pay attention to the amount of e-bikes and the majority this year seemed to be e-bikers. This is the way of future, whether we like it or not. Many older couples are riding them and they all slow down when passing and are respectful. I don’t see extreme speeding on e-bikes, but am more concerned about tourists on regular bikes not warning when passing from behind. This is dangerous and should be part of the training when renting a bike. Many times, I came close to being hit by a rented regular bike but never an e-bike.
If the city moves forward with trying to implement this program, it will be an operational nightmare and nearly impossible to maintain and enforce. It seems the city would be better off thinking about the future of the trails with e-bikes in mind and making the current trails safer by creating consistent width and space from roads. When I walk along Middle Gulf Drive near Casa Ybel Road, my arm is inches from the car going by. That is not safe. New additional trail systems would be welcomed around the island with slightly wider and more gradual curves.
I read about the proposed program in the May 13, 2026, issue of the Island Reporter and it really bothered me. I wonder how many of the city council members actually spend multiple days a week on the SUP. E-bikes are as safe as the person riding them, regardless of age. You could say the same thing about boaters, trust me! This is the same rationale as forbidding someone to drive their Ferrari down Periwinkle Way just because it’s a fast car. That doesn’t make sense; they just need to obey the speed limit while driving it (no, I don’t own a Ferrari).
Once again, trying to register multiple e-bikes and each class within those e-bikes sounds like a nightmare, and even worse, trying to actually enforce that. Many e-bikes come from off island to enjoy Sanibel and the businesses here. I believe if you put time, energy and money into this program, it would be a lost cause. We will have e-bikers regardless and they will keep coming. You wouldn’t have enough manpower to enforce it. Also most affordable e-bike purchases are Jetsons from Costco, which all have a throttle. I see many Sanibel kids riding these. Thankfully the Sanibel Rangers have been very nice to the kids, including mine, and they remind them to peddle and obey the speed limits. Why can’t we just keep doing that? What is the push for this?
Brandon and Ashley Skinner
Sanibel