LTC 359-2025 MBNA Resolution Opposing E-Bike Pilot Program on BeachwalkMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY CLERK
LTC#
LE T T E R TO COMMISSION
TO:Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
Eric Carpenter,City Manager
Ricardo J.Dopico,City Attorney
Joseph M.Centorino,Inspector General
Rafael E.Granado,City Clerk ~
DATE:September 3,2025
SUBJECT:A RESOLUTION OF THE MIDBEACH NEIGHBORHOOD ASSOCIATION (MBNA)
OPPOSING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT PROVIDING AN EXCEPTION,FOR A NINE-
MONTH PILOT PROGRAM BASIS,TO PERMIT AN ADULT RIDING AN ELECTRIC
BICYCLE WITH A CHILD 16 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER TO OPERATE SUCH
ELECTRIC BICYCLE ON THE BEACHWALK AND OTHER SPECIFIED AREAS
UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS
On behalf of the Board of Directors of the MidBeach Neighborhood Association (MBNA),please find a
resolution from the MBNA opposing an ordinance amendment that proposes a nine-month pilot program.
This program would allow an adult riding an electric bicycle with a child 16 years old or younger to operate
such a bicycle on the Beachwalk and other specified areas under certain conditions.(Item RS S on the
September 3,2025 Agenda.)
FROM:
359-2025
A RESOLUTION OF THE MIDBEACH NEIGHBORHOOD
ASSOCIATION (MBNA)OPPOSING ORDINANCE AMENDMENT
PROVIDING AN EXCEPTION,FOR A NINE
MONTH PILOT PROGRAM BASIS,TO PERMIT AN ADULT RIDING AN
ELECTRIC BICYCLE WITH A CHILD 16 YEARS OLD OR YOUNGER TO
OPERATE SUCH ELECTRIC BICYCLE ON THE BEACHWALK AND
OTHER SPECIFIED AREAS UNDER CERTAIN CONDITIONS
WHEREAS,the MidBeach Neighborhood Association (MBNA)represents more
than sixty-four (64)condominiums and hotels and more than twelve-thousand (12,000)
units within the geographical boundaries of the City of Miami Beach from Collins Avenue
and Indian Creek Drive from 24th Street through 63rd Street;and
WHEREAS,the Beachwalk is a shared public amenity designed primarily for
pedestrians,families,joggers,and slow-moving cyclists,serving as one of Miami Beach's
most accessible recreational corridors;and
WHEREAS,the current ordinance prohibiting motorized vehicles on the
Beachwalk,including electric bicycles,was adopted to protect pedestrians,children,and
vulnerable users from unsafe interactions with faster-moving traffic;and
WHEREAS,the proposed ordinance amendment permitting adults to ride electric
bicycles with children on the Beachwalk,even on a pilot basis,undermines this protection
and places pedestrians at higher risk;and
WHEREAS,the enforcement of speed,rider behavior,and vehicle type on the
Beachwalk is already a challenge for City staff and the Miami Beach Police Department,
and granting exceptions will make enforcement inconsistent and impractical;and
WHEREAS,allowing one group (parents with children)to utilize electric bicycles
on the Beachwalk may open the door for additional groups to seek similar exemptions,
creating inequities in access and undermining the original intent of the ordinance to
safeguard all users equally;and
WHEREAS,electric bicycles are capable of higher speeds than pedal bicycles,
and when velocity is increased,the force of a collision grows exponentially (force=½mv2),
which can cause severe injury to pedestrians,children,and elderly residents using the
Beachwalk;and
WHEREAS,the MBNA supports safe cycling in appropriate locations,including
bike lanes on Collins Avenue and Indian Creek Drive,but reaffirms that the Beachwalk
should remain a pedestrian-priority zone with only non-motorized bicycles permitted at
safe speeds;and
WHEREAS,as alternative to this proposed legislation the City of Miami Beach in
encouraged to further invest in bicycle infrastructure on streets,including protected bike
lanes and traffic-calmed corridors that are designed to accommodate electric bicycles at
safe speeds,demonstrating that the Beachwalk is not the appropriate facility for motorized
cycling;and
WHEREAS,the City of Miami Beach has consistently advanced Vision Zero
goals to eliminate traffic-related fatalities and serious injuries,prioritizing pedestrian safety
in all transportation corridors,including the Beachwalk;and
WHEREAS,the City of Miami Beach Transportation Master Plan identifies the
Beachwalk as a pedestrian-and bicycle-priority facility with a focus on safety,accessibility,
and enjoyment,which is incompatible with introducing higher-speed motorized vehicles;
and
WHEREAS,the adoption of piecemeal exceptions to the current ordinance risks
undermining the City's long-term transportation planning by creating inconsistent policies
that complicate enforcement and conflict with adopted pedestrian-first goals;and
WHEREAS,MBNA supports the City's commitment to equitable,safe,and
sustainable mobility solutions,and therefore opposes the introduction of motorized
vehicles into spaces intended for the most vulnerable road users-pedestrians,children,
elderly residents,and visitors;
WHEREAS,MBNA members strongly believe that amending the ordinance
would erode hard-won safety protections,reduce enjoyment of the Beachwalk for
residents and visitors,and pose a liability risk for the City;
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED THAT:
The MidBeach Neighborhood Association (MBNA)opposes the ordinance
amendment creating an exception for electric bicycles with children on the Beachwalk and
urges the City of Miami Beach Mayor and Commissioners to preserve the current
ordinance prohibiting all motorized vehicles on the Beachwalk without exception.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND CORRECTNESS:
Anamarie Ferreira de Melo,President
Alicia Casanova,Vice-President/Secretary
Joined by MBNA Executive Board Members:
Oscar Vazquez,Esteban Porcelli,Avra Bank,Randy Hollingworth,Jorge Pante,and Jose
Flores
Dated this 2nd day of September,2025
Granado,Rafael
From:
Sent:
To:
Cc:
Subject:
Attachments:
M idBeach Neighborhood Association <m bna@ m idbeachna.co m >
W ednesday,Septem ber 3,2025 5:5 8 AM
G ranado,Rafa el
Carpenter,Eric;Go nzalez,Jose R.;M atthew Gultanoff
M BN A Resolution Opposing O rdinance Am endm ent on Electric Bikes in Beachw alk
signed M BN A Reso re Electric Bikes w ith Kids on Beachw alk.pdf
[THIS MESSAGE COMES FROM AN EXTERNAL EMAIL -USE CAUTION WHEN REPLYING AND
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Dear City Clerk,
On behalf of the Mid Beach Neighborhood Association (MBNA),please find attached a detailed
resolution outlining the organization's opposition toward the proposed ordinance amendment to
permit adults riding electric bicycles with children on the Beachwalk.
MBNA firmly believes that adopting this amendment would contradict established City transportation
and safety plans,dismantle critical protections,set enforcement efforts up for failure,diminish the
shared enjoyment of the Beachwalk,and place its most vulnerable users including children,seniors,
and pedestrians,at unacceptable risk.
We respectfully urge the Mayor and Commissioners to preserve the current ordinance prohibiting all
motorized vehicles on the Beachwalk without exception.
Sincerely,
Anamarie
Sent on behalf of the
MidBeach Neighborhood Association (MBNA)
Board of Directors
Anamarie Ferreira de Melo,President
Alicia A.Casanova,Vice President
Beachwalk Working Group,Chair
Collins North 41-63 Working Group,Chair
Esteban Porcelli,Secretary
Indian Creek Drive Working Group,Chair
Oscar Vazquez,Treasurer
Beach and Water Quality Working Group,Chair
Randy Hollingworth,Executive Officer
Public Space Working Group,Chair
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Jose Eduardo Flores,Executive Officer
Hotel Working Group,Chair
Avra Bank,Executive Officer
Ex-Officio Member,41 st Street Committee Member
Jorge Pante,Executive Officer
Patricia Agnello,Non-Board Member
Homelessness Working Group,Resident Lead
www.midbeach.net @MidBeachNA
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