E-bikes. Some people love them. Some hate them. Everyone’s got an opinion.
But preserving the rights of e-bike operators while mandating safety measures to protect both the operator and other people is not as simple as it first appears. And that process begins with understanding exactly what constitutes an e-bike.
St. Johns County Commissioner Ann Taylor and Sheriff Robert Hardwick addressed the topic Monday, Sept. 15, at a town hall meeting hosted by the Ponte Vedra and Palm Valley community associations. The meeting, held at the Ponte Vedra Branch Library, was well attended, with several people stepping to the mic for the question-and-answer portion.
On Aug. 5, the Board of County Commissioners passed a resolution promoting safety for operators of e-bikes, e-scooters and other electronic motorized devices. The resolution followed a failed attempt to pass a regulatory ordinance.
“I can’t even begin to count how many emails, phone messages and conversations I’ve had about e-bikes,” said Taylor.
Hardwick spoke about measures his deputies are taking to educate people and attempts by pro-active sheriffs and legislators in Florida to promote legislation supporting enforcement efforts that prioritize interaction with parents over ticketing violators.
But to understand the benefits and limitations of legislation, it is first important to define “e-bike.”
Hardwick explained the three classes of e-bike, all of which are assisted by pedaling. Class 1 (no throttle) and class 2 (with throttle) can travel up to 20 mph. Class 3 can travel up to 28 mph. These fall under the same laws that govern bicycles.
The e-moto, however, is a different case. These are comparable to 250cc dirt bikes. They are not pedaled and can travel as much as 50 mph. With simple modifications, they can move up to 70 or 80 mph. The Sheriff’s Office is treating them like motorcycles, which require a motorcycle endorsement, a safety course and a Florida driver’s license.
The issue will receive more clarity with passage of a state statute, which is currently in draft form and a long way from passage. Hardwick said state Rep. Yvette Benarroch of Collier County is taking the lead and local state Rep. Kim Kendall is to be a co-sponsor. State Sen. Tom Leek has also signaled his support.
Hardwick and sheriffs from Volusia, Flagler, Martin and Pinellas counties have led the charge to draft this legislation. This initiative is reminiscent of a 2023 low-speed vehicle law, which originated with officials in St. Johns County. That law mandates a number of safety features that low-speed vehicles — popularly confused with “golf carts” — must have in order to be operated on public streets.
Hardwick emphasized that any e-bike legislation should align enforcement with careless driving provisions and not establish criminal violations for minors.
For older operators of e-motos, licensing and endorsements would be mandatory.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office has made education a key component of its response to electronic bicycles. With the approval of the St. Johns County School District, resource deputies have implemented a 45-minute, mandatory Power Point presentation for students in grades six through eight.
Enforcement will also hold parents accountable if, for example, a child younger than 16 is not wearing a helmet when cycling.
For information about e-bike safety and related topics, go to trafficsafetyteam.org.
