Key West Injury Lawyer Blog
Officials raised concerns about e-bikes in Key West this week at the first City Commission Meeting of 2025.
The concern was flagged by Donie Lee, the City Commissioner and former police chief, who said the issue could not be solved with “more enforcement,” according to reporting from the Key west Citizen. His suggestion was to ban the electronic modes of transport from multi-use pathways to protect pedestrians and traditional cyclists from potential crashes.
Tom Malone, a resident who disagreed with Lee, spoke out during the public comments section of the meeting to share his experience as an avid walker throughout the community. As a pedestrian, he said, these electronic modes of transport present a significant hazard to pedestrians.
“My primary means of transportation is walking, and I’ve noticed during the last few years that the sidewalks have become increasingly dangerous because of the e-bikes and those standup e-scooters,” Malone said. “They go at high rates of speed. They don’t belong on the sidewalks to begin with, at least in the areas that I walk mostly. … And it’s gotten to the point that when I am on the waterside of North Roosevelt, I will walk along where the palm trees are, for safety reasons. I think one of the answers is enforcement.”
Despite efforts from law enforcement to educate e-bike riders by handing out helmets and bells to alert pedestrians of their presence, frustrations with the issue have continued. Language barriers, said Key west Police Chief Sean Brandenberg, present a further issue when attempting to communicate with e-bike riders.
Another issue involves proper signage along North and South Roosevelt boulevards, which is important to regulate where e-bikes can ride safely and to inform riders and pedestrians of the rules. These roads are owned by the state, not the city, meaning city officials have limited control over signage.
Where are E-bikes Allowed in Key West?
E-bikes are currently allowed in Key West, but the city does have some guidelines in place that riders must follow. These electronic bicycles are allowed on bike lanes and paths throughout the city. When riding on roads, pedal-assisted e-bikes – which can reach speeds of nearly 30 mph, depending on the class of e-bike – are limited to 20 mph. Additionally, when these e-bikes are on the road, they must adhere to general traffic laws. If a rider is under 16 years old, they must wear a helmet. While it is advised for all riders to wear a helmet, there is no requirement for all riders to wear one.
No decision was made at Tuesday’s meeting, and the topic was tabled until February.
Leesfield & Partners: Forewarning About Dangers of E-bikes from Firm’s Founder and Managing Partner
E-bikes have continued to gain popularity in recent years, proving to be a useful and effective mode of transportation. Despite ease of use and quick travel, however, they have also been the cause of significant injuries to thousands of people in the U.S. each year. In 2022, for example, these bikes were the cause of over 20,000 injuries in the United States, according to data from the Consumer Product Safety Commission. This represents a 21% increase from the year before.
Forbes Magazine reported that the number of e-bike injuries has continued to double since 2017. The issue with e-bikes is that they can travel at higher rates of speed than standard bicycles, causing more severe collisions. Additionally, there are no age or experience requirements for riders, meaning that anyone can hop on a bike and, because of inexperience, cause a potentially dangerous accident.
The issue with these electronic bicycles was predicted by Leesfield & Partners’ Founder and Managing Partner, Ira Leesfield, in a 2019 article who said electronic bikes and scooters have “taken over the safety and tranquility” of the modern, American city.
“Being unsightly may not be unforgivable, but landing innocent pedestrians or others in a neurosurgical coma is,” Mr. Leesfield said. “Not to mention a slew of other reported serious injuries … Just ask those who work at Hospitals and Emergency rooms or walk-in medical facilities.”
Regulations like helmet usage and minimum age and insurance requirements could go a long way to ensure the safety of pedestrians and riders alike.
“[In Florida,] we regulate the age and education of auto operators and even require insurance,” Mr. Leesfield said. “The E-bike operators and, more importantly, the distributors must play by some rules.”
Previous Cases
Leesfield & Partners has handled all manner of injuries caused as the result of road incidents in Florida for nearly five decades. In that time, the firm has secured millions on behalf of injured cyclists and pedestrians. In a bid to raise awareness about road and pedestrian safety, Mr. Leesfield has periodically posted public safety advisories on the digital board outside of the firm’s Miami office, which sits on U.S. 1 and is seen by thousands of commuters each day. Additionally, Mr. Leesfield has also teamed up with organizations such as Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD) and Friends of The Underline through his charitable organization, The Leesfield Family Foundation.
A case involving a bicyclist who was hit while stopped on the shoulder of the Overseas Highway in Key West resulted in a $5,350,000 settlement for the client. In that case, the bicyclist who was stopped on the side of the road was hit by a driver who was distracted by their car’s GPS.
A pedestrian-involved incident handled by the firm resulted in the maximum recovery amount of $6 million awarded to our injured client. In that case, a woman was walking back to her office following a mid-day break when she was struck by a truck making an illegal left turn whose driver claimed not to see her in the marked crosswalk. The woman had severe injuries including skull fractures and brain hemorrhages as a result of the driver’s negligence.
For a Toronto family, a vacation to Fort Myers turned into a nightmare after a pickup truck driver failed to see a young wife and mother attempting to cross the street. Leesfield & Partners attorneys recovered an $8.5 million settlement for the family following a $27 million arbitration award.
Another pedestrian-involved incident handled by the firm resulted in a $2.9 million recovery.
The firm previously recovered $3 million for a mother and son injured in a bicycle incident.
