by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
At the Sanibel City Council’s May 5, 2026, meeting, Recreation Director Andrea Miller presented a possible e-bike registration program for discussion. She said it is designed to enhance safety, accountability, and responsible use of the city’s shared-use path system by e-bike users.
Key components of the proposed policy include mandatory registration and identification, e-bike class regulations, fee structure, application and eligibility requirements, safety and code of conduct, and enforcement and penalties.
Council discussed the various components of the draft policy, which proposes that all e-bikes operated on shared-use paths must be registered annually and display a color-coded decal indicating the bike’s class.
All three classes of e-bikes would be permitted on the shared use paths under the proposed policy:
• Class 1 (pedal-assist, capable of max 20 mph): permitted for residents, on-island employees, and non-residents, age 16 and older
• Class 2 (throttle-assisted, capable of max 20 mph): restricted to residents and on-island employees only, age 16 and older
• Class 3 (pedal-assist, capable of max 28 mph): restricted to residents and on-island employees only, age 16 and older
The proposed annual registration fee is $10.
Applicants, under this proposed plan, would have to complete an application for registration, document the e-bike class they’re registering, sign a shared use path code of conduct, offer proof of residency or property ownership, and a list of their authorized e-bike users, or proof of on-island employment, or, in the case of a business, proof of a current Business Tax Receipt.
Sanibel Police Chief Bill Dalton said, “I have to tell you, I’m not seeing a rousing success with this.” He added that the Rangers on the shared-use path could be put in danger while trying to stop an electric bike, and that people can “soup” them up. “People don’t want to be governed on this,” Dalton said.
“I think registration for Class 1 would be extraordinarily unpopular with our citizens,” said Council member Laura DeBruce.
Council member Holly Smith agreed that Class 1 e-bikes need not be registered and went one step further. “I don’t think we should charge.” She also said that state legislation is coming, and it may be more restrictive than what Sanibel may institute.
This matter will come before Council again.
What is the problem we are trying to solve? Does the accident data support changes are needed?
In many places, the use of ebikes is already out of control and getting worse. As a property owner, frequent visitor to Sanibel and heavy user of the shared used paths, I’m glad to see this topic being considered. Please keep it top of mind.
Thanks
There is no need for requiring e-bikes to be singled out for registration or licensing. The problem isn’t with the bikes but with the users. No different than having performance cars (eg. Corvette, Ferraris, etc) regulated to reduce bad drivers. It will be practically impossible to enforce any rules for shared path users. Yes, there are e-bike users that ride too fast and ignore other users. There are also users that wear headphones or earbuds and are glued to their iPhones who ignore cyclists who use bells or shout warnings such as “on your left” or “keep right” when approaching. Rules and regulations which are practically unenforceable won’t change the problem.
As an annual visitor to Sanibel who cannot pedal a class 1 bike due to health issues, this will force me to find a new location to vacation. That, or I could be a jerk and a danger by riding my normal 8 mph out on the road, is that really what the council wants?