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Resolution 2025-33876 2025-33876 RESOLUTION NO. A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO AMEND STATE LAW TO: (1) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE OPERATION OF A MOTORCYCLE WHILE PERFORMING A WHEELIE OR SIMILAR STUNT ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS; (2) EXPRESSLY PROHIBIT THE PERFORMING OF WHEELIES OR SIMILAR STUNTS ON BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, OR OTHER MICROMOBILITY DEVICES ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS, AND PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL PENALTY FOR SUCH OFFENSES; AND (3) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE ILLEGAL OPERATION OF DIRT BIKES (DEFINED AS "OFF- HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLES") AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (DEFINED AS "OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES") ON PAVED PUBLIC ROADS; AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SECRETARY OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES, AND TO THE SHERIFF AT THE MIAMI-DADE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. WHEREAS, performing a "wheelie" (lifting a vehicle's front wheel off the ground while in motion) significantly reduces stability, impairs maneuverability, increases stopping distance, and greatly heightens the risk of collisions with pedestrians, bicyclists, motorists, and the operators themselves; and WHEREAS, Florida Statute § 316.2085 prohibits the operation of a motorcycle unless both wheels remain in contact with the ground — but penalties are limited and $1,000 is insufficient as a deterrent, especially in heavily trafficked, urban environments like the City of Miami Beach ("City"); and WHEREAS, under Florida law (specifically Florida Statutes § 316.2074 and § 261.11), off- highway motorcycles and off-highway vehicles, including dirt bikes and all-terrain vehicles ("ATVs"), are prohibited from operating on public streets, roads, or highways except under narrow exceptions, yet violations are treated only as noncriminal infractions with modest $124 penalties; and WHEREAS, Florida Statute § 316.191 addresses dangerous motor vehicle driving behaviors such as street racing and stunt driving, but fails to expressly prohibit wheelies performed on bicycles, electric bicycles, motorized scooters, or other micromobility devices—despite their comparable risks; and WHEREAS, the City, along with other neighboring municipalities in Miami-Dade County, consistently experience rogue groups of dirt bike, ATV, and micromobility device operators who converge on the City, often in large numbers, riding recklessly, disregarding traffic laws, and endangering the safety of lawful motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians; and WHEREAS, tragically, on Friday, August 15, 2025, a 14-year-old juvenile riding an electric dirt bike rear-ended and fatally struck a bicyclist in the eastbound bicycle lane of the Rickenbacker Causeway, underscoring the life-threatening dangers posed by off-highway vehicles illegally operated on paved roads; and WHEREAS, the City would welcome the opportunity to coordinate with the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office on matters of planning, enforcement, and/or public safety strategies aimed at deterring and remediating this type of reckless and dangerous behavior; and WHEREAS, the City looks forward to working in partnership with the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office, along with any other local law enforcement agencies, to develop cooperative initiatives and enforcement measures that will improve roadway safety and protect residents and visitors throughout Miami-Dade County; and WHEREAS, the City Commission finds that express statutory prohibitions and enhanced penalties are urgently needed to empower law enforcement to curb such reckless behavior—and to better protect residents, visitors, cyclists, and motorists on public streets and roadways in the City, County, and throughout the State of Florida. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, hereby urge the Florida Legislature to amend State law to: (1) increase the penalty for the operation of a motorcycle while performing a wheelie or similar stunt on public roadways; (2) expressly prohibit the performing of wheelies or similar stunts on bicycles, electric bicycles, or other micromobility devices on public roadways, and provide a substantial penalty for such offenses; and (3) increase the penalty for the illegal operation of dirt bikes (defined as "off-highway motorcycles") and all-terrain vehicles (defined as "off-highway vehicles") on paved public roads; and further, directing the City Clerk to transmit copies of this Resolution to the President of the Florida Senate, the Speaker of the Florida House of Representatives, the Secretary of the Florida Department of Transportation, the Executive Director of the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles, and to the Sheriff at the Miami-Dade Sheriff's Office. PASSED and ADOPTED this -3 day of � ����� , 2025. ATTEST: - �, ,� . Steven Meiner, Mayor :�, � t Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk __�\�i��.B.�qc�,, ti��-, (Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine) .���� ': ,; ; '.IN�OR'�RATED: = i A''. '�7." CoSponsored by Commissioner David Suarez --�. a :�;.= �-,9���.�.,��� _ „!. ... . APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAG€ R EXECUTION � z�l Zo z,T ey�„� l Date �� 2 Resolutions - C7 AD MIAMIBEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico DATE: September 3, 2025 TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORiDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO AMEND STATE LAW TO: (1) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE OPERATION OF A MOTORCYCLE WHILE PERFORMING A WHEELIE OR SIMILAR STUNT ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS; (2) EXPRESSLY PROHIBIT THE PERFORMING OF WHEELIES OR SIMILAR STUNTS ON BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, OR OTHER MICROMOBILITY DEVICES ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS, AND PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL PENALTY FOR SUCH OFFENSES; AND (3) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE ILLEGAL OPERATION OF DIRT BIKES (DEFINED AS "OFF- HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLES")AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (DEFINED AS "OFF- HIGHWAY VEHICLES")ON PAVED PUBLIC ROADS;AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE F�ORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SECRETARY OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES, AND TO THE SHERIFF AT THE MIAMI-DADE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. RECOMMENDATION BACKGROUND/HISTORY ANALYSIS The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine. FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT None. Does this Ordinance reQuire a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY) If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: https://www.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/ 753 of 1750 FINANCIAL INFORMATION CONCLUSION Applicable Area Citywide Is this a "Residents Riqht to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond pursuant to Citv Code Section 2-17? Proiect? No No Was this Aqenda Item initiallv requested bv a lobbvist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481, includes a principal enqaqed in lobbvina? No If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s): Department City Attorney Sponsor(s) Commissioner Joseph Magazine Co-saonso�(s) Condensed Title Enhance or Create Penalties for Certain Traffic Infractions. (Magazine) CA Previous Action (For Citv Clerk Use Onlv) 754 of 1750 MIAMIBEACH City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Tel:305-673-741 1 September 10, 2025 Honorable Governor Ron DeSantis The Capitol 400 S Monroe St. Ta�lahassee, FL 32399 Dear Honorable Governor DeSantis, Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2025-33876: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO AMEND STATE LAW TO: (1) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE OPERATION OF A MOTORCYCLE WHILE PERFORMING A WHEELIE OR SIMILAR STUNT ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS; (2) EXPRESSLY PROHIBIT THE PERFORMING OF WHEELIES OR SIMILAR STUNTS ON BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, OR OTHER MICROMOBILITY DEVICES ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS, AND PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL PENALTY FOR SUCH OFFENSES; AND (3) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE ILLEGAL OPERATION OF DIRT BIKES (DEFINED AS "OFF-HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLES") AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (DEFINED AS"OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES")ON PAVED PUBLIC ROADS; AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SECRETARY OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES, AND TO THE SHERIFF AT THE MIAMI- DADE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. (Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine and Co-sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez) This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on September 3, 2025. Respectfully, / ��;�J Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine Commissioner David Suarez MIAMIBEACH City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach,Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Te1:305-673-7411 September 10, 2025 Senate President Ben Albritton 409 The Capitol 404 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 Dear Senate President Albritton, Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2025-33876: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO AMEND STATE LAW TO: (1) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE OPERATION OF A MOTORCYCLE WHILE PERFORMING A WHEELIE OR SIMILAR STUNT ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS; (2) EXPRESSLY PROHIBIT THE PERFORMING OF WHEELIES OR SIMILAR STUNTS ON BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, OR OTHER MICROMOBILITY DEVICES ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS, AND PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL PENALTY FOR SUCH OFFENSES; AND (3) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE ILLEGAL OPERATION OF DIRT BIKES (DEFINED AS "OFF-HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLES") AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (DEFINED AS"OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES")ON PAVED PUBLIC ROADS; AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SECRETARY OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES, AND TO THE SHERIFF AT THE MIAMI- DADE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. (Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine and Co-sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez) This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on September 3, 2025. Respectfully, �� / " -�'• Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine Commissioner David Suarez MIAMIBEACH City of Miami eeach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach,Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Tel:305-673-741 1 September 10, 2025 Speaker of the House Daniel Perez 402 South Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 Dear Speaker of the House Perez, Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2025-33876: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO AMEND STATE LAW TO: (1) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE OPERATION OF A MOTORCYCLE WHILE PERFORMING A WHEELIE OR SIMILAR STUNT ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS; (2) EXPRESSLY PROHIBIT THE PERFORMING OF WHEELIES OR SIMILAR STUNTS ON BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, OR OTHER MICROMOBILITY DEVICES ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS, AND PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL PENALTY FOR SUCH OFFENSES; AND (3) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE ILLEGAL OPERATION OF DIRT BIKES (DEFINED AS "OFF-HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLES") AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (DEFINED AS"OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES")ON PAVED PUBLIC ROADS; AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SECRETARY OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES, AND TO THE SHERIFF AT THE MIAMI- DADE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. (Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine and Co-sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez) This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on September 3, 2025. Respectfully, / `-- :t� Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine Commissioner David Suarez MIAMIBEACH Cffy of Miami eeach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Te1:305-673-7411 September 10, 2025 Executive Director Dave Kerner Florida Highway Safety& Motor Vehicles 2900 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, FL 32399 Dear Executive Director Kerner, Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2025-33876: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO AMEND STATE LAW TO: (1) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE OPERATION OF A MOTORCYCLE WHILE PERFORMING A WHEELIE OR SIMILAR STUNT ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS; (2) EXPRESSLY PROHIBIT THE PERFORMING OF WHEELIES OR SIMILAR STUNTS ON BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, OR OTHER MICROMOBILITY DEVICES ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS, AND PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL PENALTY FOR SUCH OFFENSES; AND (3) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE ILLEGAL OPERATION OF DIRT BIKES (DEFINED AS "OFF-HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLES") AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (DEFINED AS"OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES")ON PAVED PUBLIC ROADS; AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SECRETARY OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES, AND TO THE SHERIFF AT THE MIAMI- DADE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. (Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine and Co-sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez) This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on September 3, 2025. Respectfully, / �=�J Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine Commissioner David Suarez MIAMIBEACH City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach,Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Tel:305-673-741 1 September 10, 2025 Sheriff Rosie Cordero-Stutz Miami-Dade Sherriff's Office 9105 NW 25th St. Doral, FL 33172 Dear Sheriff Cordero-Stutz, Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2025-33876: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO AMEND STATE LAW TO: (1) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE OPERATION OF A MOTORCYCLE WHILE PERFORMING A WHEELIE OR SIMILAR STUNT ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS; (2) EXPRESSLY PROHIBIT THE PERFORMING OF WHEELIES OR SIMILAR STUNTS ON BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, OR OTHER MICROMOBILITY DEVICES ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS, AND PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL PENALTY FOR SUCH OFFENSES; AND (3) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE ILLEGAL OPERATION OF DIRT BIKES (DEFINED AS "OFF-HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLES") AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (DEFINED AS"OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES")ON PAVED PUBLIC ROADS; AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SECRETARY OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES, AND TO THE SHERIFF AT THE MIAMI- DADE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. (Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine and Co-sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez) This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on September 3, 2025. Respectfully, � �`�---� Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine Commissioner David Suarez MIAMIBEACH City of Miami Beach, 1700 Convention Center Drive,Miami Beach, Florida 33139,www.miamibeachfl.gov Office of the City Clerk Te1:305-673-7411 September 10, 2025 Secretary Jared W. Perdue Florida Department of Transportation 605 Suwannee Street Tallahassee, FL 32399 Dear Secretary Perdue, Attached please find a copy of City of Miami Beach Resolution No. 2025-33876: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING THE FLORIDA LEGISLATURE TO AMEND STATE LAW TO: (1) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE OPERATION OF A MOTORCYCLE WHILE PERFORMING A WHEELIE OR SIMILAR STUNT ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS; (2) EXPRESSLY PROHIBIT THE PERFORMING OF WHEELIES OR SIMILAR STUNTS ON BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, OR OTHER MICROMOBILITY DEVICES ON PUBLIC ROADWAYS, AND PROVIDE A SUBSTANTIAL PENALTY FOR SUCH OFFENSES; AND (3) INCREASE THE PENALTY FOR THE ILLEGAL OPERATION OF DIRT BIKES (DEFINED AS "OFF-HIGHWAY MOTORCYCLES") AND ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLES (DEFINED AS"OFF-HIGHWAY VEHICLES")ON PAVED PUBLIC ROADS; AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY CLERK TO TRANSMIT COPIES OF THIS RESOLUTION TO THE GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, THE PRESIDENT OF THE FLORIDA SENATE, THE SPEAKER OF THE FLORIDA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, THE SECRETARY OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION, THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF HIGHWAY SAFETY AND MOTOR VEHICLES, AND TO THE SHERIFF AT THE MIAMI- DADE SHERIFF'S OFFICE. (Sponsored by Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine and Co-sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez) This Resolution was passed and adopted by the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach on September 3, 2025. Respectfully, � ��_.� Rafael E. Granado City Clerk c: Vice-Mayor Joseph Magazine Commissioner David Suarez