The county first enacted a 270-day moratorium in December 2019 in the wake of the adoption of a state law that allows operation of e-scooters in the state under the same terms as bicycles. That law does, however, give local governments the power to otherwise regulate operations and safety requirements and to regulate e-scooter rental businesses.
But during the initial moratorium, the county's attention shifted to the local response to the pandemic, and the moratorium was extended for another 270 days — expiring this month — to give commissioners additional time to consider e-scooter regulation.
Also during that time, officials began concentrated work on a countywide mobility plan that sets a proposed course for transportation infrastructure development during the next 20 years. That plan, as prepared by NUE Urban Concepts, the Florida-based transportation consulting firm, addresses possible e-scooter rental scenarios and proposes speed limits for the devices in some areas of the county.