Since January 2025, Pembroke Pines police and fire crews have responded to 51 calls for help involving crashes with e-motors, e-bikes or e-scooters, according to Vice Mayor Mike Hernandez. While most riders involved were in their 40s, police reported that middle and high school students have also been injured.

"What I can't have is what I was seeing, which is kids that were going through sidewalks at top speed nearly hitting pedestrians, nearly hitting fellow students," Hernandez said.

The ordinance would require riders to operate at a "reasonable" speed to avoid crashes and would bar e-bikes, e-scooters and e-motorcycles from city-owned playing fields and playgrounds. Parks that already have signs restricting traditional scooters would get updated language prohibiting all micromobility vehicles.

Violators could face $50 fines, though Hernandez stressed that penalties are not the main objective. The rules are intended to draw attention, educate riders and improve safety overall, he said.

"The most important point I would make is: this is a start," Hernandez said. "I understand that this is not going to solve every issue. It's not going to stop every accident. Unfortunately, it won't stop every injury."

Hernandez initially hoped state lawmakers would pass statewide regulations, but Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed e-bike legislation in July. In the months after the veto, e-bike and e-scooter riders died in at least three crashes in Miami-Dade County. Hernandez then worked with the local police department to draft an ordinance tailored to Pembroke Pines.

The vote comes as cities across South Florida grapple with the growing popularity of micromobility devices and the safety risks they pose on sidewalks, streets and shared public spaces. If approved, the Pembroke Pines measure would take effect under the city's own authority, filling what supporters see as a gap left by the state's inaction.