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Ordinance No. 2026-04 Creating Regulations for Electric Bicycles Motorized Scooters & Micromobility Devices - January 13, 2026CITY OF AVENTURA ORDINANCE NO. 2026-04 AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 48, "VEHICLES, USE OF RIGHT-OF-WAY, PARKING AND OTHER REGULATIONS, BY CREATING A NEW ARTICLE V, "ELECTRIC BICYCLES, MOTORIZED SCOOTERS, AND MICROMOBILITY DEVICES," RELATING TO THE OPERATION OF ELECTRIC BICYCLES, MOTORIZED SCOOTERS, AND MICROMOBILITY DEVICES IN THE CITY; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY, CODIFICATION, AND AN EFFECTIVE DATE. WHEREAS, Chapter 316, Florida Statutes, the "State Uniform Traffic Control Law," governs traffic regulation throughout the state and preempts conflicting local rules; and WHEREAS, Sections 316.008, 316.20655, 316.2128, and 316.2068, Florida Statutes, authorize municipalities to regulate the operation of electric bicycles, motorized scooters, and micromobility devices on streets, sidewalks, and paths within their jurisdiction for safety purposes; and WHEREAS, in 2025, the Florida Legislature adopted Senate Bill 462 (Chapter 2025-149, Laws of Florida) authorizing local governments, in part, to establish minimum age limits for the operation of electric bicycles and motorized scooters; and WHEREAS, during the City ofAventura ("City") Commission Workshop on October 16, 2025, the City Commission directed the City Manager and City Attorney to draft legislation relating to the operation of electric bicycles, motorized scooters, and micromobility devices within the City; and WHEREAS, the City Commission finds that the increasing use of electric bicycles, motorized scooters, and other micromobility devices within the City's public rights -of -way requires the establishment of uniform local regulations to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of residents, pedestrians, cyclists, and motorists, and to promote the safe integration of these devices into the City's transportation network consistent with state law; and WHEREAS, the City Commission desires to adopt regulations consistent with state law to ensure the safe operation of these devices within the City; and WHEREAS, the City has determined that this Ordinance is in the best interest of the City. Underlined provisions constitute proposed additions to existing text. Remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. City of Aventura Ordinance No. 2026-04 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF AVENTURA, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS THAT: Section 1. Recitals Adopted. That each of the above stated recitals are hereby adopted and confirmed. Section 2. City Code Amended. That Chapter 48, "Vehicles, Use of Right -of - Way, Parking and Other Regulations," of the Code of Ordinances, City of Aventura, Florida, is hereby amended as follows:' ARTICLE V. MICROMOBILITY DEVICES Sec. 48-50. Intent. The purpose of this article is to promote the safe and lawful operation of electric bicycles, motorized scooters, and micromobility devices within the City, consistent with the Florida Uniform Traffic Control Law. Chanter 316. Florida Statutes. as may be amended from time to time. Sec. 48-51. Definitions. As used in this article, the following terms have the meaning set forth herein, except as otherwise indicated by the context. Designated Streets. Means all streets within the City except Biscayne Boulevard. Electric Bicycle. As defined in F.S. � 316.003(23), as amended, an Electric Bicycle is a bicycle or tricycle equipped with fully operable pedals, a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, and an electric motor of less than 750 watts which meets the requirements of one of the followina three classifications: (1) Class 1 Electric Bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. (2) Class 2 Electric Bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the electric bicycle and that ceases to Page 2 of 7 Underlined provisions constitute proposed additions to existing text. Remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. City of Aventura Ordinance No. 2026-04 provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour. 3) Class 3 Electric Bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour. Micromobilitv Device. As defined in Section 316.003(41), Florida Statutes, as amended, a Micromobility Device is a motorized transportation device for individual use which is typically 20 to 36 inches in width and 50 pounds or less in weight and which operates at a speed of typically less than 15 miles per hour but no more than 28 miles per hour. This term includes both human powered and nonhuman -powered device such as a bicycle, electric bicycle, motorized scooter, or any other device that is owned by an individual or part of a shared fleet. Motorized Scooter. As defined in F.S. � 316.003(48), as amended, a Motorized Scooter is any vehicle or micromobility device that is powered by a motor with or without a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, which is designed to travel on not more than three wheels, and which is not capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed greater than 20 miles per hour on level ground. This term does not include an electric bicycle. Sec. 48-52. Operation on Streets, Sidewalks, and Multi -Use Paths. (a) General operation. Electric bicycles, Motorized Scooters, and Micromobilitv Devices may be operated on Designated Streets, bicycle lanes, sidewalks, and shared -use paths within the City, in accordance with this article and as permitted under state law. (b) Sidewalks and multi -use paths. The operation of Electric Bicycles, Motorized Scooters, and Micromobilitv Devices on sidewalks, sidewalk areas, and multi -use Paths is permitted throughout the City, subject to the following: Operators shall not exceed a speed of ten (10) miles per hour. Operators shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at all times and give an audible signal before overtaking or passing. Page 3 of 7 Underlined provisions constitute proposed additions to existing text. Remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. City of Aventura Ordinance No. 2026-04 iii. Operators shall exercise due care and safe control to avoid collisions or endangering persons or property. iv. When operatina on sidewalks. the electric motor must be disenaaaed. and the device shall be propelled solely under pedal power. Sec. 48-53. Traffic and safety requirements. (a) Micromobility Devices, Electric Bicycles, and Motorized Scooters operated within the City shall comply with all applicable provisions of Chapter 316, Florida Statutes, including all traffic regulations and safety requirements, and shall be afforded all rights and privileges, and be subject to all duties, of bicycles and bicycle operators under state law. (b)All persons under sixteen (16) years of age operating a micromobility device, motorized scooter. or electric bicvcle shall wear a aroaerly fitted and securel fastened bicycle helmet meeting the federal safety standard set forth in 16 C.F.R. part 1203. Sec. 48-54. Applicability. This article shall not apply to governmental personnel on official business, emergency vehicles, or the use of special mobile equipment for repair or maintenance of public Property, or a person with a disability who uses a motorized wheelchair or similar mobility device for mobility purposes. Sec. 48-55. Administration and Rulemaking Authority. (a) The City Manager or designee may adopt administrative rules, signage standards, and operatina guidelines necessary to imalement this article and ensure the safe and orderly use of micromobility devices, electric bicycles, and similar vehicles within the Ci (b) The City Manager is authorized to adopt an administrative regulation providing for procedure and penalties for impoundment of vehicles for violations of this article. Any proposed regulation shall be adopted by the City Commission after public comment and public notice. Page 4 of 7 Underlined provisions constitute proposed additions to existing text. Remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. City of Aventura Ordinance No. 2026-04 Sec. 48-56. Enforcement and Penalties. (a) The City Police Department shall enforce this article and may conduct public education campaigns on the safe operation of Micromobility Devices, Electric Bicvcles. and Motorized Scooters. (b) Violations of this article constitute noncriminal traffic infractions punishable as civil infractions under Chapter 318, Florida Statutes, by a civil fine of one hundred dollars ($100.00) and any other penalties or remedies provided by law. (c) Law enforcement officers may, in their discretion, issue a verbal or written warning for a first offense. (d) All other offenses under this article shall be enforced pursuant to Chapter 316, Florida Statutes. or the Citv Code. as aaalicable. In addition to the aenalties described above, the City may institute any appropriate action or proceeding to enjoin, prevent, restrain, correct, or abate a violation of this article. Section 3. Severability. That the provisions of this Ordinance are declared to be severable and if any section, sentence, clause or phrase of this Ordinance shall for any reason be held to be invalid or unconstitutional, such decision shall not affect the validity of the remaining sections, sentences, clauses, and phrases of this Ordinance but they shall remain in effect, it being the legislative intent that this Ordinance shall stand notwithstanding the invalidity of any part. Section 4. Codification. That it is the intention of the City Commission, and it is hereby ordained that the provisions of this Ordinance shall become and be made a part of the Code of the City of Aventura; that the sections of this Ordinance may be numbered or re -lettered to accomplish such intention; and that the word "Ordinance" shall be changed to "Section" or other appropriate word Section 5. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall be effective immediately upon Page 5 of 7 Underlined provisions constitute proposed additions to existing text. Remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. City of Aventura Ordinance No. 2026-04 adoption on second reading. The foregoing Ordinance was offered by Vice Mayor Bloom, who moved its adoption on first reading. The motion was seconded by Commissioner Ain, and, upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: Commissioner Clifford B. Ain Yes Commissioner Gustavo Blachman Yes Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland Yes Commissioner Paul A. Kruss Yes Commissioner Cindy Orlinsky Yes Vice Mayor Amit Bloom Yes Mayor Howard S. Weinberg, Esq. Yes The foregoing Ordinance was offered by Vice Mayor Bloom, who moved its adoption on second reading. This motion was seconded by Commissioner Orlinsky, and upon being put to a vote, the vote was as follows: Commissioner Clifford B. Ain Yes Commissioner Gustavo Blachman Yes Commissioner Rachel S. Friedland Yes Commissioner Paul A. Kruss Yes Commissioner Cindy Orlinsky Yes Vice Mayor Amit Bloom Yes Mayor Howard S. Weinberg, Esq. Yes Page 6 of 7 Underlined provisions constitute proposed additions to existing text. Remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged. City of Aventura Ordinance No. 2026-04 PASSED on first reading this 4th day of November, 2025. PASSED AND ADOPTED on second reading this 13th day of January, 2026. H WARD S. WEINBERG, ESQ. MAYOR ATTEST: ELLISA L. HORVA , MMC CITY CLERK APPROVED AS TO LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: 7. 'i 41 ROBERT MEYERS CITY ATTORNEY WEISS SEROTA HELFMAN COLE + BIERMAN, P.L. Page 7 of 7 Underlined provisions constitute proposed additions to existing text. Remaining provisions are now in effect and remain unchanged.