The Jacksonville City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve new regulations on e-bike usage in the city, including a speed limit and a ban on reckless riding.
Committees have altered the bill since its introduction by City Councilman Michael Boylan.
What was first proposed as a 10 mph speed limit on sidewalks and shared-use paths became a 15 mph speed limit.
The bill also initially proposed making it illegal for children under 11 to ride e-bikes on city roads and sidewalks. Instead, Boylan says parents and guardians will decide whether a child is mature, old enough and physically capable of operating an e-bike.
Anyone under 16 must wear a helmet when riding an e-bike.
Violations of the ordinance will be considered Class-C civil infractions.
“We’ve gotta do more,” Councilman Rory Diamond said. “The beaches police officers and police chiefs have been regulating very hard and it’s working.”
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office says it takes reckless and unsafe e-bike use seriously, but previously raised concerns about whether riders would receive enough notice about the speed limit with only 26 initial speed limit signs set to go up. Boylan said those signs are just the first phase.
Several council members echoed similar concerns about enforcement, but agreed that regulation is necessary to protect lives.
“I did not support this in committee. I’ve had additional discussions with JSO and I do believe it’s a start and I think we need to start somewhere,” Councilman Ron Salem said.
DCPS has since expressed support for the rules and will update its curriculum to reflect them.
Under the ordinance, the city must also create signs advertising the new rules, including links to a webpage with more details. Businesses that sell e-bikes must make an effort to display them for customers.