It has never been legal to use motorized vehicles on the pedestrian path along Bal Harbor Beach in South Pointe Park. However, Miami Beach police are about to enforce the rule like never before.
“Starting this weekend, we will be taking a zero-tolerance approach to these motorized bicycles and electric vehicles,” said Officer Christopher Bess of the Miami Beach Police Department.
Signs are already present along the path informing users that electric bikes and scooters are not allowed.
“There are a lot of bikes, roller skaters, skateboarders, runners, walkers, etc., everyone is here and to have electric on top of that, even some bikers without electricity go too fast,” said walking Michelle Knight. regularly on the way to the beach.
Robert Wortham uses the path for exercise almost every day and says enforcement of the rule banning motorized vehicles is long overdue.
“I think the majority of them come here recklessly, they pass other people, some people drive drunk and crash into things, so it’s definitely safer,” Wortham said. “I saw someone running for the fences here drunk., I saw someone, a lady, get hit by someone on a scooter, so there are accidents all the time when they’re here .
The police also noticed the chaos.
“On Monday, one of our officers observed one of these motor vehicles strike a pedestrian,” Bess said. “We can’t have electric vehicles or motorized devices on our promenade because it’s pedestrian-friendly.”
Even a man who rode an electric bike told us this policy was fair.
“I think it depends on how you ride your bike, because I can ride it fully electric or power-assisted, you know? But I don’t want to go too fast, I try to watch out for pedestrians,” said Roy Castilla.
If you’re caught riding an electric vehicle on the way, it’s a $129 fine, similar to a moving violation ticket.
