Council asks staff to study e‑bike and micro‑mobility safety after residents raise concerns

Councilor Schwan asked the council to direct staff to study micro‑mobility safety (electric bikes, motorized scooters) and to return with recommendations for targeted sidewalk restrictions, designated pedestrian zones and enforcement options. She referenced ordinances in other Florida cities and cited recent examples of dangerous interactions and injuries involving e‑bikes.

Police reported enforcement activity since May—dozens of stops and written warnings—and said only a handful of micro‑mobility crashes were recorded in 2025 and 2026 so far, but noted many incidents go unreported. Several councilors suggested targeted zone restrictions (heavy‑pedestrian sidewalks near resorts), minimum age rules (Naples set 16 for some classes) and stepped education; the council reached consensus to ask staff to prepare a study and draft options for future ordinance action.

Why it matters: councilors framed the request as a public‑safety and pedestrian‑conflict problem where data on both volume and location will guide proportionate, defensible rules rather than a blanket ban. Staff and police will return with options on targeted sidewalk prohibitions, age limits and signage/enforcement measures.