SANIBEL ISLAND, Fla. -- The Sanibel City Council met Tuesday morning to discuss an ordinance that would ban electric mopeds and bicycles. People who live on and off the island have mixed emotions about the proposal.
“The law should be what makes sense in the long run for the largest number of people,” said Karen, Sanibel Island resident.
Another resident commented, “who is going to monitor this, who is going to enforce, I think one of our big problems is with the path there is no enforcement and that is what we need to consider.”
The owners of Pedego Electric Bikes in Fort Myers shared the benefit of electric bikes for the elderly. During public comment owner Skip said his clientele demographic is between 65 to 85, “folks coming here aren’t coming to ride and tear up the bike path, they are coming here to bike, enjoy Sanibel and the bike path."
Billy Kirkland, owner of Billy's Bike Rentals for 20 years on the island says there's an, “aging population and a lot of our citizens here on the island need pedal assist bikes.”
There is also a difference between pedal assist bikes speed can be controlled unlike full throttle electric bikes.
“Having an ordinance drafted that benefits everyone I think is very important,” said Kirkland.
The Sanibel City Council decided to scrap the current ordinance and plan tore-address the concerns brought forth by those who made public comments at another meeting.
The city council did make clear they plan to never legalize motorized mopeds or scooters.
