Orange Beach, Ala. — (OBA) — Electric bicycles, scooters, and other personal motorized devices have grown rapidly in popularity across the United States. Coastal resort cities like Orange Beach and Gulf Shores, Alabama, have seen a sharp rise in the use of these devices on shared trails and sidewalks. Both cities have responded by passing new local ordinances addressing speed limits, equipment standards, and rental business requirements. Municipal leaders say the regulations are intended to reduce conflicts between riders and pedestrians on public pathways.

Orange Beach Council Focuses on E-Bikes and Rentals

In Orange Beach, the City Council has addressed these challenges by updating local safety ordinances to regulate both resident-owned and rental micromobility devices.

• Speed Limits on Trails: Orange Beach has established a speed limit of 15 mph on sidewalks and multi-modal paths, and 12 mph on the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail.
• Pedestrian Approaching Rules: To protect walkers, riders must reduce their speed to 10 mph or less when approaching a pedestrian within 50 feet, and they must give an audible warning before passing from behind.
• Class Restrictions and Power Limits: Devices with motors of 750 watts or higher (including high-powered "e-motos") are legally classified as motor vehicles. They require a state driver's license and insurance to operate and are restricted entirely to public roadways, meaning they are banned from sidewalks, multi-use paths, and the Backcountry Trail.
• Rental Safety Regulations: Rental businesses face stricter rules, including the requirement to have a physical location within city limits or police jurisdiction and to carry $1,000,000 in general liability insurance.
• Youth Safety and Enforcement: Riders under 16 must wear a helmet. Under enforcement frameworks, police officers will target reckless behaviors such as failing to yield, excessive speeding, or performing stunts, and will notify or cite parents for juvenile violations rather than impound devices.

You can watch the full discussion from the Orange Beach City Council meeting in their council meeting video broadcast.

Gulf Shores Sets Stricter Precedents

Just down the coast, the City of Gulf Shores has enacted even more restrictive speed limits to protect beachgoers and pedestrians on its infrastructure.



• 10 mph Speed Limit: Gulf Shores passed an ordinance capping the speed limit on all designated multi-use paths and sidewalks at 10 mph.
• Strict Penalty Structure: Gulf Shores enforces a tiered fine system for unsafe riding: $250 for the first violation, $400 for a second, and $500 for subsequent offenses. Devices ridden by minors under 18 without helmets may also be impounded with a $50 release fee.

With coastal tourism and local residency at high levels, these measures by Orange Beach and Gulf Shores reflect a regional push to prioritize safety on multi-use paths. By combining speed reductions, rental accountability, and strict power classifications, local leaders hope to keep public pathways safe and enjoyable for both pedestrians and riders alike.