Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook calls for discussion on possible e-bike ban for riders age 17 and younger
Coral Springs, Florida – Coral Springs Mayor Scott Brook wants city leaders to consider whether riders age 17 and younger should be prohibited from using e-bikes, pointing to the number of young people involved in crashes with electric transportation devices this year.
Brook raised the possibility during an online candidates’ forum on Thursday, Oct. 1, saying he intends to request a City Commission workshop to discuss a potential ban.
The League of Women Voters of Broward County and the Coral Springs Coconut Creek Regional Chamber of Commerce hosted the forum.
No ban is currently in place, and Brook did not provide a timeline for when he might request the workshop. He also stressed that he does not want the city to make such a change without first discussing the issue with the community and providing education.
“I wouldn’t engage in any such ban without a lot of conversation, a lot of education,” Brook said.
The proposal would prevent anyone younger than 18 from riding e-bikes throughout Coral Springs if city officials eventually decide to move forward with it.
Brook brought up the issue after the forum moderator asked both candidates for mayor to identify two matters they believe Coral Springs needs to address immediately.
Brook named e-bike safety as one of his priorities, along with affordability.
“We have too many young people that are getting injured,” Brook said.
He also expressed concern that some younger riders do not understand the safety and driving rules that apply when using e-bikes and other electric devices.
Crash statistics released by Coral Springs officials have added to concerns surrounding their use.
Police recorded 72 crashes involving e-bikes and other electric devices between Jan. 1 and Aug. 13. Of the 72 people riding those devices when the crashes occurred, 52 were children.
Injuries were reported in 54 of the crashes. Nine resulted in serious injuries.
Two people died in crashes involving the devices during that period. Both people who died were adults in their 60s.
Helmet use was relatively uncommon in the incidents recorded by police. Riders were wearing helmets in only 13 of the 72 crashes, according to police data.
Another serious incident involving a young rider occurred after the period covered by those statistics.
On Sept. 16, a 14-year-old boy riding an e-scooter was struck by a car while crossing Woodside Drive at 35th Court, according to police.
The teenager suffered a head injury and was transported to a hospital by helicopter. Police later reported that he was in stable condition.
E-bikes and e-scooters are currently permitted on sidewalks and bike paths in Coral Springs, although city regulations place restrictions on how fast they can travel.
City law sets a maximum speed of 15 mph for the devices.
Riders must reduce their speed further when sharing sidewalks with pedestrians. Within 25 feet of a person walking on a shared sidewalk, riders are required to slow to 5 mph.
Brook’s opponent in the Nov. 3 mayoral election, Commissioner Joshua Simmons, also addressed the safety concerns surrounding e-bikes and e-scooters during the candidates’ forum.
Simmons identified congestion and development as the two immediate issues he believes the city needs to address, but he also spoke about the number of children being injured while using electric devices.
“We are having issues with e-bikes and e-scooters, and a lot of children are being hurt,” Simmons said.
Simmons also urged motorists to take additional care when driving in areas where young riders may be present.
He said he asks drivers to “pause just a second longer before you pull out.”
For now, the rules governing e-bikes in Coral Springs remain unchanged. Brook’s comments represent a call for city officials to begin discussing whether stronger restrictions are necessary rather than an immediate policy change.
The mayor has not said when he will formally seek the City Commission workshop or what specific details might be included in a possible ordinance.
If the proposal advances, it would represent a significant change for younger residents who currently use e-bikes around the city.
Brook has indicated that any potential ban should be preceded by community discussion and education as Coral Springs considers how to respond to the number of young riders involved in crashes.
With 52 children among the 72 riders involved in recorded crashes through Aug. 13, the issue is likely to remain part of the city’s broader discussion about road safety, e-bikes and e-scooters.
