Tarpon Springs approves ordinance restricting bikes, scooters on busy sidewalks
Bike, e-bike, scooter restrictions approved
A new rule for anyone riding bicycles, e-bikes and scooters in Tarpon Springs. City commissioners approved an ordinance restricting where they can be ridden, targeting some of the city's busiest tourist and pedestrian areas. FOX 13's Jennifer Kveglis reports.
TARPON SPRINGS, Fla. - Tarpon Springs city commissioners voted Tuesday night on a new ordinance that would ban riding personal mobility vehicles and devices on sidewalks in parts of the city that are popular with tourists.
Tarpon Springs sidewalk transportation restrictions
What we know:
The new rule applies to bicycles, e-bikes, e-scooters, and other nonmedical mobility devices, whether motorized or not.
Wheeled devices would still be allowed inside the designated zones, but only if users are walking with them.
The city says the restrictions are intended to address pedestrian safety, particularly in areas with heavy foot traffic and during large special events like First Friday and Tarpon Springs Hippie Fest.
The areas covered include sections of downtown, the Sponge Docks and Craig Park.
Safety concerns
The backstory:
The ordinance comes after complaints from residents and visitors who say they do not feel safe sharing crowded sidewalks with people riding e-bikes and e-scooters at high speeds.
Commissioners unanimously advanced the ordinance to a final vote last month.
Resident reactions
What they're saying:
Residents have raised concerns about the safety of walking in busy areas, particularly during events and other times when pedestrian traffic increases.
During a discussion in August, Tarpon Springs resident Jane Harrington thanked city officials for addressing safety concerns.
"Many, many people walk on the regular streets and the regular sidewalks, they're dangerous. And now with school back in, it is even worse," Harrington said.
City leaders respond
Local perspective:
Mayor John Koulianos said riding on busy sidewalks can become particularly dangerous when motorized vehicles approach pedestrians around corners.
"I'm on those sidewalks, and it gets, it gets unnerving when somebody's coming around a turn, and they're going, you know, 20, 25 miles an hour on a motorized vehicle, you know, coming on the sidewalk. It's dangerous," he said.
Commissioners described the ordinance as a narrow-scope measure designed to address safety concerns while the county works on a broader e-bike ordinance.
"Matter of fact, this weekend when we had First Friday, a lot of the kids were walking their bikes, so I was very happy to see it," Commissioner Mike Eisner said, "There were a couple that didn't, and I made them know, you know, that it's coming up."
Local enforcement impact
Why you should care:
Riders will have to dismount and walk through the designated restricted areas, with penalties escalating for repeat violations.
The decision also provides a local framework that may eventually need to align with broader rules being considered by Pinellas County.
The Source: The information in this article was gathered from the proposed Tarpon Springs city ordinance and public comments made during an Aug. 25 city commission meeting.