Tarpon Springs moves to rein in e-bikes downtown

Tarpon Springs commissioners unanimously advanced an ordinance Aug. 25 that would get bicycles, e-bikes and motorized scooters off sidewalks in some of the city’s busiest pedestrian areas.

The first-reading vote would apply to East Tarpon Avenue between Pinellas Avenue and Ring Street, Dodecanese Boulevard between Pinellas Avenue and Roosevelt Boulevard, and Craig Park. The areas include the heart of downtown, the Sponge Docks and a popular waterfront park. Riders could still bring bikes and scooters into those areas, but they would have to walk them.

Assistant Police Chief Taurean Mathis said the city focused first on places where heavy foot traffic already puts riders and pedestrians in close quarters. Craig Park presents a similar problem with people sharing relatively narrow paths.

“You can have them, you have to walk them, but you can’t ride them in those areas,” Mathis said.

The restrictions would not apply only to e-bikes. Regular bicycles, motorized scooters and other covered micromobility devices would also have to be walked through the designated areas. Medically necessary mobility devices, including electric wheelchairs, would be exempt.

The city could also temporarily create “high pedestrian activity zones” during First Friday, Hippie Fest, street fairs and other special events. The same restrictions could then be used wherever crowds make riding on sidewalks a concern.

Violations would be civil rather than criminal. The ordinance allows a warning or fine of up to $50 for a first violation, $100 for a second within 12 months and $250 for subsequent violations during the same period.

Mathis told commissioners that putting fines on the books does not mean officers will immediately begin writing tickets. Signs and public outreach would accompany the new restrictions, and police plan to start by making sure riders understand them.

“The first part of enforcement is education,” Mathis said. “You find somebody doing something wrong, you educate them, give them warnings, and let them know.”

Tarpon Springs is the latest Pinellas County government trying to decide what to do with the growing number of electric bikes and scooters sharing space with pedestrians.

Gulfport recently began considering its own rules after complaints about e-bikes in parks, on sidewalks and in other busy areas. Council members there were reluctant to impose broad restrictions without first seeing local numbers on crashes, complaints and other incidents.

Pinellas County Schools has also tightened rules for students bringing e-bikes and scooters onto campuses. At the county level, commissioners are considering options that could include age requirements, government-issued photo identification and restrictions on where e-bikes can be ridden.

The local discussions have gained momentum since Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed Senate Bill 382 in June, which would have established additional statewide rules for electric bikes and scooters. Existing Florida law still allows local governments to regulate e-bikes on streets and sidewalks under their jurisdiction and restrict them on trails and other facilities they control.

Tarpon Springs is not trying to answer all of those questions with its first ordinance.

Mayor John Koulianos described the proposal as intentionally narrow when he introduced the discussion. For now, the city is concentrating on downtown, the Sponge Docks, Craig Park and crowded special events while Pinellas County works on its own approach.

Commissioner Lori Weaver focused on how riders would learn about the change. Mathis said the city would need signs in restricted areas and plans to use its website and social media to explain where people can and cannot ride before enforcement ramps up.

Commissioner Michael Eisner pointed to the speeds some electric devices can reach as another reason for concern. He described seeing young riders traveling about 20 to 22 mph on scooters, speeds that become more consequential when sidewalks and events are crowded.

For resident Jane Harrington, the proposed restrictions address only the most visible parts of a problem pedestrians encounter elsewhere in the city. She supported the rules around festivals and busy destinations but urged commissioners to consider what happens on ordinary neighborhood sidewalks.

“Many, many people walk on the regular streets and the regular sidewalks,” Harrington said. “They’re dangerous, and now with school back in, it is even worse.”

She said restricting riding during events such as First Friday and Hippie Fest is a good start, but pressed commissioners on when the city might reach farther.

“How long before the average person can walk on the sidewalks?” Harrington asked.

The ordinance still needs final approval before taking effect. Broader restrictions could come later, depending in part on what Pinellas County develops.

“We’re going to wait for their findings and their ordinance,” Koulianos said, adding that if the county’s approach works for Tarpon Springs, “then we can have a consistent policy.”