Sanibel Island is known for its beautiful scenery and relaxed pace. Many visitors and residents choose to explore the island’s 26 miles of shared paths by bicycle, offering a scenic alternative to driving.
For those who don’t have their own bikes, rentals are readily available, with e-bikes becoming increasingly popular.
The City’s Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee is currently reviewing regulations regarding electric bicycles and scooters on shared paths. Currently, only Class 1 e-bikes, which require pedaling for electric assist and have a speed limit of 20 mph, are allowed.
The committee is exploring the possibility of expanding access to Class 2 e-bikes, which also have a lower top speed than the currently prohibited Class 3 e-bikes (30 mph).
Safety is a top priority. The committee is focused on education rather than implementing additional signage for the existing 20 mph speed limit. Additionally, they are considering lowering the minimum age for e-bike riders from 18 to 16, with further details to be determined.
The future of electric scooters and throttle-powered e-bikes on shared paths is also under consideration. The committee will be evaluating the safety implications of these micro-mobility devices.
While there have been some incidents on the shared paths in the past (167 reported since 2019), data shows a significant decrease this year (only 4 incidents).
Stay tuned for updates on the City Council’s decision in June regarding the committee’s recommendations for e-bikes and potential changes to shared path regulations on Sanibel Island.
