The Gulf Shores City Council voted in favor of amending an ordinance regarding rented motorcycles and motor driven cycles during the March 22 regular City Council meeting.

Dan Netermeyer, Deputy Police Chief, proposed the council adopt an amendment to the Code of Ordinances further regulating the rental and use of rented motorcycles and motor driven scooters. The police department has received numerous complaints from residents, guests and other motorists.

“We have had a number of incidents in the past regarding vehicle accidents concerning rented motor driven scooters. Two of the accidents required the operator to be airlifted to the hospital. What we determined as we looked into this is a number of these were the result of operator error,” Netermeyer said.

The amendment requires:

- The rental customer to be 18 years of age and possess a current Alabama Class M motorcycle license or endorsement.

- If the customer is not a resident of Alabama, a valid motorcycle endorsement from the state of residency which authorizes such use shall be required.

- A log be maintained by the owner of the commercial rental business to identify the operator by operator’s license and the cycle’s serial and registration number.

- If requested, this log should be provided for inspection to the City of Gulf Shores Revenue Department or Police Department.

- Business will provide safety and protective equipment to include helmet, vest and glasses to operator.

- Business maintain a level of commercial general liability insurance.

- All rental motorcycles and motor-driven cycles be clearly marked with the rental company on the body of the rented motorcycle or motor-driven cycle or on an attached flag.

- Operators will be required to wear the provided safety equipment.

- Operator signs an acknowledgement stating they agree reckless operation of the motor-driven vehicle is subject to a fine and jail term.

There is currently only one business in Gulf Shores renting motorcycles or motor driven cycles. Coyote Beach Sports has been operating for nine years and had 4,700 rentals in 2020.

Kris Anderson, an attorney retained by Coyote Beach Sports owner Terry Shelton spoke to the Council.

“First off, we are not going to sit here and argue with the chief about the importance of public safety and how a certain type of measure would be appropriate to address the problems being raised by the police department. We think the proposed ordinance just goes too far in a few ways,” Anderson said.

The police provided 11 incident reports. According to Anderson only nine involved Coyote Beach Sports equipment. He said two renters were airlifted but only one had injuries.

“So out of 4,700 rentals there was one injury. That is less than a 0.04 % chance of being injured,” Anderson said.

Anderson also argued against the class m motorcycle endorsement requirement because not all states require such an endorsement.

The Council did make note that the business owner did not speak during the previous work sessions when public comment was sought on the ordinance changes.

The Council voted and passed the changes with only one nay vote by Steve Jones.