Oviedo council members are set to take a final vote Monday on an ordinance that would regulate the use of e-bikes and e-scooters throughout the city.

The proposed rules would limit the devices to 10 mph on sidewalks and could prohibit their use in some public places, including parks. Riders would also be required to yield to pedestrians.

Violations could result in fines ranging from $50 for a first offense to $250 for repeated offenses.

“It is challenging to be out as a pedestrian, even walking your dog, because the kids are not slowing down,” Oviedo resident Harlika Watzman said. “They’re in the middle of the road, they’re on the sidewalks. Some are not wearing helmets, some don’t even have lights.”

Watzman supports the proposed restrictions and said penalties are needed to reinforce the rules.

“Start with that. There has to be some sort of penalty that shows this is serious,” she said. “This is on the books. We need to follow it.”

Mayor Megan Sladek previously said the city had been waiting for guidance from the state on e-bike regulations. But she said the city could no longer wait because of safety concerns.

“We’ve got to figure out how to exist in the same space,” Sladek said. “Right now we have e-bikes that are zipping around Center Lake Park, and people who are pedestrians do not feel safe walking there.”

Council members discussed the proposal during a work session last month, including whether to incorporate Orange County’s new rules for micromobility devices.

The ordinance would also include an educational component aimed at reducing dangerous behavior. Watzman said education could address many of the problems, but acknowledged that changing habits may take time.

“I think that is going to hit 80 percent of the problems — the educational outreach,” she said. “It’ll probably take years because there is a learning curve. I think we have to start there for sure.”

Council members are scheduled to vote on the ordinance Monday at 6:30 p.m.

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