Could a vote in Miami-Dade County open the door to relaxed e-bike regulations?

This story was originally published in the Key Biscayne Independent, a WLRN News partner.

Miami-Dade is set to give Key Biscayne the authority to regulate e-bike traffic on Crandon Boulevard as part of a carefully crafted intergovernmental agreement that could allow a future Village Council to ease the island’s ban on micromobility.

The question is whether there is political appetite for the Village Board to relax the ban on battery-powered devices put in place after the Feb. 14 death of Megan Andrews, who was struck by an electric bicycle while riding her regular bicycle.

Electric bikes and scooters are currently banned from local village streets, but they are legal on bike lanes on Crandon, a county-controlled road. The Miami-Dade County Commission on Tuesday will consider approving an interlocal agreement that transfers power to the village as part of a two-year experiment.

It will allow electric scooters and slower-moving Class 1 e-bikes, but prohibits fully electric-powered Class 2 e-bikes and faster Class 3 e-bikes, which some Key Biscayne council members say are similar to motorcycles within the village limits.

The interlocal agreement allows Key Biscayne to impose a lesser form of penalty – a so-called civil violation notice. This is similar to a code violation notice.

One of the reasons Key Biscayne Village Council was hesitant to adopt an e-bike ban before Andrews’ death was fear that a Key Biscayne teenager under the age of 16 who receives a regular traffic ticket would not be able to get driving license driving license until the age of 18. By characterizing Crandon violations as civil penalties, such concerns are avoided.

Village Council member Ed London supports re-allowing Class 1 e-bikes on Crandon and village streets.

“They weren’t the problem,” London said. “Class 1 e-bikes are limited to 20 miles per hour, and when I say limited, I mean pedal like crazy to get to 20 miles per hour.”

He said allowing Class 1 bicycles throughout the village would help commuters – such as MAST Academy students. Class 2 bikes travel easily up to 20 miles per hour, while Class 3 e-bikes can reach speeds of 28 miles per hour.

Council member Fernando Vazquez said he would never support lifting the ban. “I stand by my position that we should not allow Class 1 on local streets,” he said. “I’m not going in that direction. One death is enough.”

Mayor Joe Rasco said the village has no plans to relax the ban. “This restriction remains fully valid,” he said. “Until now, there have been no restrictions on Crandon Boulevard.”

He said the interlocal agreement would not allow anyone with an e-bike to ride on sidewalks, requiring them to use the Crandon bike lane.

“We are grateful to the county for stepping up to this challenge and putting in place measures that will help keep our community safe.”

The interlocal agreement would apply only from the northern borders of Key Biscayne to Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park, according to the memorandum.

For people using e-bikes and e-scooters, this means they will have to leave their devices on foot when they leave Crandon.

Still, village manager Williamson said the interlocal agreement goes “a step further to ensure that we have full coverage in the village,” Williamson said.

The use of e-scooters, hoverboards and e-bikes has increased the number of injuries in emergency situations over the past few years, according to a 2023 report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. E-bikes alone accounted for 15 percent of emergency department visits, for a total of 53,200 visits.

Vazquez said a recent accident on Crandon involving an e-bike confirmed his fears.

“Our decision to ban certain e-bikes is not taken lightly, but it is necessary to protect the lives of those who call Key Biscayne home,” he said. “This is what leadership means to me – making difficult decisions that protect our residents and our future.”

Editor’s note: The Independent’s editor-in-chief, Tony Winton, contributed to this story.