Sanibel Rangers On Patrol

by SC Reporter Emilie Alfino

Police Chief Bill Dalton presented this summary of what the Sanibel Rangers are doing and their effectiveness on the shared-use paths (SUP). The city has budgeted five full-time Ranger positions, although just three have been hired to date. Their primary function, according to Police Chief Bill Dalton, is to patrol the SUP, education, enforcement, to issue citations, and be ambassadors for the City.

The Rangers will patrol on the SUP using E-bikes, and on foot on Turner Beach, Blind Pass, Bowman’s Beach, Gulfside City Park, Troast, Lighthouse Beach, the boat ramp, and Causeway Beach.

Sanibel Rangers engage with the public and answer a range of questions related to: E-bike education, hurricane recovery efforts, wildlife, shells, local history, payment assistant, and restaurant locations. Sanibel Rangers will issue citations for SUP and Park violations

At this time, Sanibel Rangers have focused on “class-checking” e-bikes which is seen as policing the device itself, rather than enforcing speed limits and addressing reckless, aggressive behavior, said Chief Dalton, both of which are essential for courteous riding and the safe integration of micromobility devices on the SUP. Although illegal per Florida State Statute, there are multiple ways Class1 E-bikes can be modified to exceed 20 mph.

Attempts to objectively identify E-bikes by class through spotting existing classification stickers have been ineffective, Chief Dalton said. Stickers are often too small, blended into the bike’s paint, or missing entirely. As a result, engagement relied on guessing a bike’s class, then asking riders to self-identify—something many could not do accurately. This method is inefficient, unreliable, and risks damaging public trust, according to Chief Dalton. Asking riders to self-identify, only to then issue a warning or citation, will likely feel deceptive and punitive, ultimately undermining both Sanibel Ranger credibility and broader leadership efforts around compliance.

Nearly five years of Consumer Product Safety Commission injury data show that riders aged 65 + are consistently among the lowest-risk users of E-bikes, scooters, and other micromobility devices. Because adults 65 and older make up the majority of Sanibel’s year-round population, directing this comparatively safe cohort off the Shared-Use Path and onto streets – where 40+ percent of E-bike injuries occur – would potentially raise their injury risk and conflict with the ordinance’s safety objectives.

Engaging with riders and managing stops presents ongoing operational challenges. Sanibel Rangers frequently observe E-bikers avoiding interactions by using business parking lots as shortcuts. Despite this, the Rangers’ presence throughout Sanibel Island provides invaluable benefits to the community, Dalton said. Their willingness to answer questions and offer assistance enhances the experience for both residents and visitors, fostering meaningful connections through these interactions.

Assuming an average of 60 public engagements per Ranger per week, a team of five Rangers would generate approximately 300 interactions weekly. This figure is expected to increase during peak season and decrease during off-peak periods. The high volume of interactions increases the efficacy of gaining compliance through education.

Dalton said the goal is to establish a reasonable mileage benchmark for Rangers to cover by E-bike, which can be reliably tracked and documented using portable devices. Additionally, a concept for structuring Ranger patrols that ensures each shift throughout the week effectively addresses E-bike education, enforcement, diplomacy, wildlife conservation, and island education will be established. This approach will enhance efforts and create a meaningful impact in the community.

Councilmembers’ reactions were that this is going to be a work in progress. “We should have this as a continuous education program,” they agreed, stating there is a new audience of tourists every seven days.

The classes of E-bike are not the issue, Dalton said. “The behavior is the issue.”

While it was suggested the prohibition against Class 2 E-bikes be lifted considering the findings of Chief Dalton’s presentation, Mayor Mike Miller said it’s bad policy to have an ordinance (allowing only Class 1 E-bikes on the SUP) and not enforce it. City Manager Dana Souza said, “We have to enforce it.”