WINTER GARDEN, Fla. – The Winter Garden city commission on Thursday approved an ordinance that restricts e-bike use on the West Orange Trail, a popular spot for walking, jogging, and biking.
Residents say the trail is always busy with people enjoying fresh air, but some express concerns about safety due to fast-moving e-bikes and scooters.
“I think there needs to be changes,” Allison Otero said. “The kids are just, it’s not just kids, but they’re flying up and down on the scooters, on the e-bikes. It’s just dangerous for families and people walking on the trail with dogs, kids.”
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Last month, commissioners voted to pass the first reading of the ordinance that would not allow operation of an e-bike by anyone under 15, prohibit e-bikes capable of reaching 28 mph on the West Orange Trail, and ban operation of motorized scooters on sidewalks less than 8 feet wide.
“We love the trail. I think it’s definitely an asset for the city, and I think the challenge is to share the trail because lots of people are using it, and with e-bikes or even scooters, it’s quite tight. So I think we need to fix a rule,” said Laurent Perchais, another Winter Garden resident.
Janice Charlassier said she loves seeing children out and about, but thinks restricting their use of e-bikes is a good idea.
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“They don’t have somebody making sure that they’re riding safely, and as they’re doing this, they’re putting other people in danger. They startle pedestrians. They weave in and out, sometimes very carelessly with cars, too. And it’s a little frightening for everybody,” she said.
Anyone who fails to follow the ordinance’s rules will face a $100 fine per violation, and parents and legal guardians of minors in violation are responsible for the payment of fines incurred by minors.
The meeting happened at 6:30 p.m.