by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
City Council voted unanimously (with Council member Laura DeBruce recused, as her business rents bicycles) to stick with the e-bike registration policy announced in June.
Key Program Components
Mandatory Registration and Identification – Only residents and on-island employees may operate Class 2 and 3 e-bikes on City shared-use paths; all must be registered through the Sanibel Recreation Center. After registration, each e-bike will receive a decal that must be prominently displayed on the front handlebar/gooseneck area. This visible identification enables efficient compliance monitoring and supports enforcement efforts.
E-Bike Class Regulations
• Class 1 (Pedal-assist, ≤20 mph) – Permitted for residents, on-island employees, and non-residents (age 16+). No registration required
• Class 2 (Throttle-assisted, ≤20 mph) – Restricted to residents and on-island employees only (age 16+), registration required
• Class 3 (Pedal-assist, ≤28 mph) – Restricted to residents and on-island employees only (age 16+), registration required
Registration will be free.
Applicants will complete an application and sign an acknowledgment of the shared-use path Code of Conduct. Residents must provide proof of residency, property ownership, or a valid Sanibel address. On-Island employees must provide proof of on-island employment (such as a current pay stub). Employers registering e-bikes for employees must also agree to revoke permits and remove decals within 10 days of employment termination to ensure ongoing compliance.
As far as enforcing the Code of Conduct, Police Chief Bill Dalton said, “We will do the best we can. This has been a challenge for us for about seven years. Rangers are out there, primarily as ambassadors. [This is] very difficult to enforce.” Dalton said he has researched this issue all around the country.
The Code of Conduct includes in part:
Riders must be at least 16 years of age to operate an e-bike on the Shared Use Path system.
I agree to:
• Operate my e-bike at a safe speed for conditions at all times.
• Obey all posted Shared Use Path speed limits and signage.
• Reduce speed in congested areas, curves, intersections, bridges, crosswalks, and near pedestrians.
• Maintain control of my e-bike at all times and ride safely and predictably.
• Ride single file when traffic or congestion requires.
• Avoid using headphones or devices that impair awareness
• Yield to Pedestrians. I understand that pedestrians always have the right-of-way on Shared-Use Paths.
• Slow down and yield to pedestrians.
• Pass only when safe to do so.
• Provide an audible warning such as “on your left” or use a bell before passing.
• Use extra caution around children, seniors, pets, and people with disabilities.