Tampa officials look to curb dangerous biking on Riverwalk, Bayshore

Hearing for new e-bike rules in Tampa

The Tampa City Council may crack down further on e-bikes and scooters on Thursday. FOX 13’s Kellie Cowan reports.

TAMPA, Fla. - Tampa City Council is considering changes to city ordinances aimed at addressing safety concerns involving large groups of bikers on trails like the Riverwalk and Bayshore Boulevard.

The backstory:

For years, Tampa City Council members say they’ve received "an overwhelming number" of complaints from residents about large groups of bicyclists creating dangerous conditions on the Riverwalk and other popular trails.

Supporters of proposed rule changes say so-called bike gangs often swarm shared paths, ride at high speeds near pedestrians, and perform stunts that increase the risk of serious injury to others.

Tampa police officers who patrol the Riverwalk and Bayshore say existing ordinances limit what they can do when these situations arise, even when riders are behaving recklessly.

Council members say the goal is to give police clearer authority to intervene before someone gets hurt.

READ: Tampa high school students' bill on e-bike safety officially filed after losing classmate

The proposed updates to the city's motorized and non-motorized vehicle ordinance would include:

• Reducing the speed limit for motorized vehicles on certain public
• Multi-use trails from 15 mph to 10 mph, prohibit "dangerous activities such as riding a bicycle on one wheel"
• Banning riders from traveling with more than two abreast

A first violation would result in a warning. After that, tickets could be issued in increments of $25, up to $75, for repeat offenders.

What they're saying:

At a meeting in November, Council Member Guido Maniscalco said witnessing one of these groups in person made the risks clear.

"All of a sudden it’s like 30 to 40 people popping wheelies going through areas. This is 7 p.m. on a Sunday. There’s kids, there’s elderly people, there’s families there, people on dates. It comes out of nowhere and they’re so close to folks that I’m thinking one head injury, one kid gets knocked over and slammed into the concrete. It’s just a matter of time because it’s so intense," said Maniscalco.

The other side:

Some residents and advocates have raised concerns that new rules could unfairly target cyclists or restrict access to public spaces.

"Limiting group sizes and formations in which they can ride, that should be spelled out, not just a blanket statement of only two riding together- that would eliminate a family," said Walk Bike Tampa board member Emily Hinsdale.

Hinsdale also worries regulations prohibiting certain stunts like wheelies could end up unfairly targeting young people.  

"We think that there should be a data-driven approach to that. There's certainly anecdotal evidence that there are wheelies and other demonstrations of tricks happening. Are they causing conflicts? Are they not? That's something that should be demonstrated rather than just assumed."

What's next:

Council members are expected to continue debate on ordinance updates during a second reading on Thursday. A vote is expected to follow.