Winter Park has become the latest Central Florida government to enact restrictions on the use of popular e-bikes, e-scooters and other micromobility devices within its borders — expanding what devices are covered and increasing penalties for violations.
The changes aim to tackle the growing safety concerns about the popular electric devices, with the most far-reaching rule being a ban on children younger than 16 riding them without first completing a city-approved safety course.
In addition, no one of any age is allowed to ride them on sidewalks in the central business districts anchored by Park Avenue and Hannibal Square.
Hannibal Square in Winter Park, on Thursday, September 24, 2026. Winter Park has banned operation of any micromobility device (e-bikes, e-scooters, hoverboards, etc.) on sidewalks in the Hannibal Square Neighborhood Commercial District in the west-central portion of the city, the Orange Avenue District in the southwestern portion, and the Central Business District downtown. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/ Orlando Sentinel)
Commissioners on Wednesday unanimously approved the ordinance in the second and final vote, with the changes going into effect immediately. Commissioners still have to adopt a resolution designating the approved safety courses for children at a future meeting.
Police Chief Tim Volkerson told commissioners his officers won’t begin issuing citations right away because the agency still needs to order new citations that incorporate the ordinance. He said he also wants to have a “comfortable education period” for the public.
E-bikes and e-scooters have surged in popularity in recent years, with more than 1 million sold annually, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
A report released in April by the Consumer Product Safety Commission said emergency departments in the U.S. treated an estimated 149,100 micromobility-related injuries — including e-scooters, e-bikes and hoverboards — in 2024, bringing the total going back to 2017 to nearly 700,000 visits. It also said staff were aware of 533 fatalities during that period.
In Orange County last year, more than half of emergency room visits linked to the vehicles were among people 19 years or younger.
The death of a 13-year-old Lake Nona boy who was struck by a car while riding an e-scooter on Mother’s Day drew increased attention to e-bike and e-scooter safety. Last week in Polk County a 14-year-old was killed after he was struck by a vehicle while riding an electric scooter in Davenport.
Bicycles, e-bikes and e-scooters were already banned on sidewalks in the west-central Hannibal Square Neighborhood Commercial District, the southwestern Orange Avenue District and the Central Business District downtown, but the new ordinance extends the ban to such devices as electric skateboards and hoverboards.
It also makes it illegal to park, abandon or leave any bicycle, e-bike, micromobility device, motorized scooter or electric motorcycle on any street, right-of-way or sidewalk in a way that it obstructs traffic, parking spaces, or building or driveway access.
Commissioners set the civil penalty for the first violation at $35 and $75 for later ones. An individual can avoid the fine entirely for the first violation by successfully completing the safety course, once one is approved.
Winter Park city commissioners gave final approval Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2026 to new rules for usage of e-bikes, e-scooters and micromobility devices such as skateboards, electric skateboards and hoverboards. The ordinance bans operation of any micromobility device on sidewalks in the Hannibal Square Neighborhood Commercial District, the Orange Avenue District and the Central Business District downtown shown in the map. (Courtesy of City of Winter Park)
The rising popularity of the devices among children has left governments, and schools, in the region and across the nation grappling with how, and if, to regulate them.
Winter Garden adopted an ordinance in January that lays out rules for riders. The Orange County School Board unanimously voted in July to ban most students from riding e-bikes and e-scooters to campus when the school year started last month.
Orlando is considering restrictions, as is Oviedo in Seminole County, but both cities are holding off in part to see what Orange County does. Orange commissioners plan to have a public hearing during Tuesday’s meeting on its own proposed rules.
Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer has said the city would let the first month or so of the school year play out before deciding on its own ordinance, in hopes it would match up with the county.
Oviedo City Council members on Monday postponed until Oct. 5 a scheduled discussion, and possible vote, on a proposed ordinance.
Oviedo Mayor Megan Sladek said because the city is near the sprawling University of Central Florida campus, where students riding the devices is common, there’s “value in harmonizing or even making an identical ordinance with Orange County.”
But local governments face restrictions of their own when trying to regulate the devices. They can’t impose criminal penalties for violating ordinances, nor can they treat them in law the same as motor vehicles.