Orange Beach leaders warn of scooter, e-bike and golf-cart dangers; ordinance changes expected

Mayor (presiding) and several council members told the City Council on March 17 that the city has been inundated with complaints about scooters, e-bikes and golf carts and that the council will pursue ordinance changes to address safety risks.

“Speeding is rampant, and generally, it’s — it’s me. It’s you. It’s not just tourists,” the mayor said, warning that “we’re too big or too busy to be the wild wild west.” The remarks followed a workshop earlier that day on micro‑mobility enforcement and safety.

A council member who said she walks in her neighborhood daily pressed the helmet issue: “None of them have a helmet on. You need to be wearing one,” she said, urging parents to insist on helmets and compliance with traffic rules.

During the Committee of the Whole discussion the clerk and staff clarified an enforcement detail that has been a recurring concern: any golf cart used within Orange Beach city limits must display the city decal; rental fleets that are not used in the city do not need Orange Beach decals. Council members said that clarification came out of the recent workshop but that further ordinance language and operational details remain to be worked out.

Council members said they plan more community input before finalizing changes. The mayor announced a town-hall meeting planned for early May to outline proposed changes and seek public feedback; meeting-day references in the transcript alternately cited May 6 and May 7, and the council did not state a final confirmed date during the session.

The council did not adopt a specific ordinance during the March 17 meeting. Council members said staff will return with recommended ordinance language and enforcement options; further committee discussion and formal readings will follow.