A bill to improve e-bike safety statewide is now on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk, proposing new regulations and data collection measures effective July 1. Current Florida law grants e-bikes and their riders the same privileges as regular bicycles. If signed into law, Senate Bill 382 would require e-bike riders on sidewalks to slow down to 10 miles per hour when a pedestrian is within 50 feet. The bill also calls for law enforcement agencies at local and state levels to begin gathering and reporting data specifically on e-bike and other micro-mobility crashes. Additionally, it would create a state-level task force to review e-bike laws monthly and make recommendations for changes. Local municipalities would still have the authority to establish their own rules. For instance, the town of Palm Beach has banned e-bikes from sidewalks and requires children to be at least 15 years old to ride while carrying a valid ID. Tony Mommone, a local biking expert and owner of Power Sports of Palm Beach, supports the bill as a way to promote safety but stressed the importance of education at home. “I do hear tons and tons of stories of kids getting hurt on the bikes,” Mommone said. “I really feel like there’s a need out there for parent/child e-bike safety training. I think there should be classes,” he said. Some cities, like Boca Raton, are already taking steps to improve e-bike safety. Boca Raton offers a free online class for teen residents to raise awareness about e-bike safety. Earlier this month, AAA launched an “E-Ride Safety Guide” online to help educate parents and kids on rules and best equipment. If Gov. DeSantis signs SB382, violators of the new regulations would face a $30 fine. Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.
, Fla. —
A bill to improve e-bike safety statewide is now on Gov. Ron DeSantis’ desk, proposing new regulations and data collection measures effective July 1.
Current Florida law grants e-bikes and their riders the same privileges as regular bicycles. If signed into law, Senate Bill 382 would require e-bike riders on sidewalks to slow down to 10 miles per hour when a pedestrian is within 50 feet.
The bill also calls for law enforcement agencies at local and state levels to begin gathering and reporting data specifically on e-bike and other micro-mobility crashes. Additionally, it would create a state-level task force to review e-bike laws monthly and make recommendations for changes.
Local municipalities would still have the authority to establish their own rules. For instance, the town of Palm Beach has banned e-bikes from sidewalks and requires children to be at least 15 years old to ride while carrying a valid ID.
Tony Mommone, a local biking expert and owner of Power Sports of Palm Beach, supports the bill as a way to promote safety but stressed the importance of education at home.
“I do hear tons and tons of stories of kids getting hurt on the bikes,” Mommone said.
“I really feel like there’s a need out there for parent/child e-bike safety training. I think there should be classes,” he said.
Some cities, like Boca Raton, are already taking steps to improve e-bike safety. Boca Raton offers a free online class for teen residents to raise awareness about e-bike safety. Earlier this month, AAA launched an “E-Ride Safety Guide” online to help educate parents and kids on rules and best equipment.
If Gov. DeSantis signs SB382, violators of the new regulations would face a $30 fine.
Stay up-to-date: The latest headlines and weather from WPBF 25
Get the latest news updates with the WPBF 25 News app. You can download it here.