ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. — Orange County leaders are preparing to consider local e-bike safety rules after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a statewide bill that had unanimously passed the Florida House and Senate.
The Orange County Board of Commissioners is expected to hear a draft ordinance from county staff on Aug. 4. County leaders had hoped statewide rules would be in place before the new school year, but the veto has shifted attention back to local governments and the school district.
County leaders have said they want clearer rules that law enforcement can use to address safety concerns related to speed and helmet use.
Senate Bill 382 would have created a task force, required law enforcement to document crashes and required e-bikes and e-scooters to travel 10 mph or slower when pedestrians were nearby. DeSantis vetoed the bill, citing concerns that it would likely lead to enhanced surveillance by local governments and significant changes to the law before any task force recommendations were made.
Some Orange County parents said they have noticed more children using e-bikes and want safety rules in place.
“I see lots of kids using e-bikes nowadays,” said Sarah Washington, an Orange County mother. “I do believe that, of course, there should be safety rules put in place.”
Kahleell Cobb, an Orange County father, said rules could help address where children ride and whether they understand the risks.
“Some type of rules and regulations,” Cobb said. “You don’t want them riding on the sidewalks if they aren’t supposed to be riding on the sidewalks or too young riding in the road or to make sure they understand what they are doing because they go pretty fast and an accident can be fatal.”
Orange County School Board Member Angie Gallo said she was disappointed by the veto.
Gallo said the school district is exploring options to improve safety on school campuses.
“We are looking at possible education for parents, education for students, maybe doing permits, those types of things,” Gallo said.
The school district’s authority is limited to school property. Local governments would be responsible for rules affecting students and others traveling to and from school.
Orange County District 1 Commissioner Nicole Wilson said the county had already begun work on a local ordinance but had hoped for a statewide framework.
“One of the things we were really relying on and hopeful for was a statewide framework that would provide data,” Wilson said. “Good policy is based on good data.”
Wilson said Orange County plans to move ahead with its own ordinance.
“My hope is that whoever we have in next in the governor’s space sees that this is a real health and safety danger,” Wilson said.