Following a year of off-and-on discussion, the city of Holmes Beach has set regulations for some alternative modes of transportation.
Holmes Beach commissioners Jan. 14 unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance regulating bike- and scooter-shares, as well as renting and operating motorized scooters and Segways.
The ordinance, effective as of the Jan. 14 vote, bans megacycles — four-wheeled vehicles powered by pedaling — and scooter cars — three-wheeled vehicles powered by 49cc engines — from rental or operation in the city.
There are no scooter cars for rent in Holmes Beach, but a business in Anna Maria offers the licensed vehicles.
The ordinance prohibits:
- Online or app-based rental of point-to-point “micro-mobility devices,” including e-scooters and bike-shares;
- Rental of motorized scooters;
- Rental and operation of scooter cars;
- Rental and operation of megacycles;
- Businesses offering bicycle sharing;
- Motorized devices on sidewalks;
- and the operation of motorized scooters and mopeds in bike lanes.
The ordinance also includes regulatory powers for the city regarding the rental of 49cc scooters, mopeds and Segways.
Segways and electric bicycles will not be available for rent in the city — except Segway tours — but people will be allowed to use their own vehicles.
Larger scooters, such as Vespas, are not prohibited from city streets, but are not allowed on bike lanes and sidewalks.
At previous meetings on the matter, residents spoke up about their concerns regarding alternative vehicles. Many people said scooter cars are unsafe, due to their low height and should be banned, even though they are street-legal.
There was no public comment Jan. 14.
Police Chief Bill Tokajer said he would spread the word about the prohibitions and tightened regulations in a pamphlet.
“All of the comments that I’ve received about this ordinance have been in favor of it,” Commission Chair Jim Kihm said Jan. 14. “It brings rule and organization to the many types of transportation that are out there now.”
What’s banned and what’s not?
According to state statutes, a “micro-mobility device” is a motorized transportation device made available through an online application, website or software for point-to-point trips that does not travel faster than 20 mph on level ground. This includes e-scooters and bikes.
Bike- and scooter-shares can be dropped off and picked up at stations and, in Holmes Beach, are prohibited by the new ordinance.
A “megacycle” is a four-wheeled, pedal-powered vehicle that can hold 5-15 people and may have an auxiliary motor to allow higher speeds, although they typically do not exceed 15 mph., and also is prohibited.
A “scooter car” or “scoot coupe” is an open-air, three-wheeled vehicle powered by a 49cc engine, available for rent in Anna Maria, but cannot be rented or operated in Holmes Beach.
A “moped” operator is seated and operates at a speed not exceeding 30 mph and the moped can be pedaled. A “motorized scooter” may or may not have a seat or pedals, travels only up to 20 mph and can be operated on city streets.
— ChrisAnn Allen
Sammy,
Would you please elaborate on the people you prefer not be on the island, and who exactly is the different clientele you are not interested in attracting?
Regards,
Charlie
You ban all of this and then you open a skate park. That makes no sense. A skate park is very unsafe and will pull in a lot of people from off the island that we would prefer not be on the island. As we saw it was already packed out prior to it even opening one day last week. Not to mention how dangerous the location is where you put it. Someone was totally not thinking when you added a skate park if you are honestly trying to keep the island safe and trying not to attract a different clientele of people to the island.