by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino
Recreation Director Andrea Miller presented a proposed new e-bike program following Council feedback on the previous proposal.
Council member Laura DeBruce recused herself from this discussion and any motion made on this matter due to a conflict of interest with her e-bike business.
Updated Draft E-Bike Registration Program
Key Program Components
1. Mandatory Registration and Identification
For residents and on-island employees only, all Class 2 & 3 e-bikes operated on City shared-use paths (SUPs) must be registered through the Sanibel Recreation Center. Upon registration, each e-bike will receive a decal that must be prominently displayed on the front handlebar or gooseneck. This visible identification enables efficient compliance monitoring and supports enforcement efforts.
2. 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 3. Fee Structure
3. Fee Structure
• Class 1 – Registration not required – Class 1 e-bikes allowed on SUP by all users
• Class 2 – Registration required for residents and on-island employees, no fee
• Class 2 not permitted by Sanibel businesses, rentals, resorts, or non-residents
• Class 3 – Registration required for residents and on-island employees, no fee
• Class 3 not permitted by Sanibel businesses, rentals, resorts, or non-residents
4. Application and Eligibility Requirements: Applicants would complete an application and must also provide:
• All: Signed acknowledgment of the SUP Code of Conduct
• Residents: Proof of residency or property ownership, or valid Sanibel address
• On-Island Employee: Proof of on-island employment (such as 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.
The cost of this program is estimated to be $2,000 for decals and $10,000 for staff time.
Police Chief Bill Dalton said, “I still think enforcement is going to be very difficult. Should we enforce Class or should we enforce behavior? Our rangers are saying they’re not witnessing bad behavior on the shared-use path.”
The rangers have only issued one citation to date, Dalton said, when there was an accident. He said when they issue warnings, people get offended or angry. Dalton said the people using Class 2 and Class 3 are primarily older and don’t present a problem with bad behavior.
“We don’t have a lot of need for enforcement,” Dalton added. “There have been very few times that the rangers see bad behavior.”
Council member Richard Johnson said, “Education is going to be a huge challenge. I think there will be resentment toward our community – especially given how we’re segregating residents and visitors. I’m cautious about implementing this program with the negative impacts it could have.”
“At the moment, I can’t support the registration program,” said Mayor Mike Miller. “It shifts enforcement from behavior to Class. We are going to frustrate, in large measure, some of our visitors who are important to us.”
“We need a change in focus,” Dalton said. “It’s been seven years that we’ve been discussing this.”
A motion to accept the proposed plan was made, but it was not seconded. Therefore, the matter is tabled for later discussion.
So where it stands today is: Only Class 1 e-bikes are allowed on the shared-use paths.
The following are two of the several emails sent by citizens to the Council:
“Having said that, as a resident of Sanibel, would you want to impose an annual registration for any bike owned on Sanibel? As a homeowner, I have paid my property taxes, and this proposal is an insult to residents. Just another form of government taxation. I am not alone in my opinion. And let me give you another example of this ridiculous proposal. Before the hurricanes destroyed our home, I had six bikes in my garage. Not just for my wife and me, but for our grandkids or other visitors to enjoy Sanibel when they visited. Under this silly proposal, I would have had to register 6 bikes every year and pay a fee for each one. How does that sound to you? What do you think residents are saying privately today about Sanibel? We’ve already paid major property dollars to live on and enjoy Sanibel. Isn’t that enough for the government? Please continue to encourage path bikes and improvements on the island. Regulate street motor bikes and carts all you want. But please leave recreational biking alone.”
– David Baum.
“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 the 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 I’m 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 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 last week’s paper, 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 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).”
– Ashley Skinner.