Despite reading “NO MOTOR VEHICLES.” all along the Pinellas Trail, electric bikes, motorized wheelchairs, and even golf carts can be seen throughout.
Now, electric scooters will also be competing for space on the trail.
According to Florida Law, electric bicycles are defined the same way as regular bikes.
A new state law approved in June gives micro-mobility devices, like scooters, the same allowances as bicycles.
People aren't exactly excited about it. Many trail users worry of the dangers of introducing electric scooters along the path.
The new law has also given local ordinances the chance to regulate differently. This has inspired Clearwater officials to wait before giving the green light to scooter-sharing programs.
A unanimous vote at a recent Clearwater City Council put a 180-day hold on micro-mobility initiatives.
This will give officials the time they need to craft regulations pertaining to scooter-sharing programs.
Hopefully, the weariness to allow scooters in Clearwater will save the city from the same headache facing the Pinellas County Parks and Conservation Management along the Pinellas Trail.