JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Jacksonville is one step closer to setting new rules for e-bike riders, including a 15 mph speed limit on sidewalks and shared-use paths, but the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office is raising concerns about whether riders would have enough notice of the new restriction.
The Jacksonville City Council’s Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee voted 5-0 Tuesday to advance the proposed ordinance. The measure has now cleared all three council committees assigned to it and is headed back to the full City Council for a vote.
The proposal comes as local doctors report treating a growing number of children injured while riding e-bikes and e-scooters.
RELATED | Jacksonville City Council committee advances e-bike safety ordinance limiting sidewalk speeds
Wolfson Children’s Hospital reported a 222% increase in e-bike and e-scooter injuries from 2023 to 2024 and said the number of children treated continued to climb in 2025 and 2026.
The proposed ordinance would set a 15 mph maximum speed for e-bikes on sidewalks and shared-use paths. Riders under 16 would be required to wear helmets, but the latest version of the proposal does not establish a minimum age to ride an e-bike.
It would also prohibit careless, unsafe or reckless e-bike operation and allow the city to establish and post additional operational restrictions.
But as the ordinance moves closer to a final vote, JSO is questioning how riders would know about one of its central provisions.
JSO raises concerns about 26 signs
Under the proposal, the new 15 mph restriction would be accompanied by 26 signs throughout Jacksonville.
In a statement to News4JAX, JSO said that may not provide enough notice to riders who could be cited under the ordinance. (Scroll down to read the full statement from JSO)
“With respect to the proposed ordinance, we do not believe establishing a new sidewalk speed limit accompanied by only 26 signs throughout the city provides sufficient or fair notice to the citizens who would be subject to that restriction,” JSO spokesperson Christian Hancock said. “Clear and adequate notice is an important consideration when creating and enforcing a new traffic regulation.”
The department stopped short of taking a position on whether City Council should ultimately approve the ordinance, saying that decision rests with council members.
JSO said it will continue enforcing existing Florida law when e-bike riders operate recklessly or dangerously, regardless of what happens with the city proposal.
Florida law generally gives e-bike riders the rights and responsibilities of bicycle riders and allows local governments to adopt ordinances governing e-bike operation on streets, highways and sidewalks within their jurisdictions.
Residents weigh speed, age and safety
News4JAX reporter Briana Brownlee and photojournalist Jesse Hanson spoke with Jacksonville residents about what they are seeing on sidewalks and shared spaces and what they think about the proposed rules.
Nick Jensen said he has noticed e-bikes moving quickly, particularly when riders leave the road and use sidewalks.
“When I do see the e-bikes, they go a little fast,” Jensen said. “If they stick to the road, that’s okay, but when they are up on the sidewalks, that can get a little dangerous.”
Phillip Pelle, who lives in San Marco, said he supports putting limits on how fast riders can travel in spaces they share with pedestrians.
“If you are walking down a sidewalk or any public place, they need to put some parameters on speed, and I am always an advocate of wearing a helmet,” Pelle said.
Luiza Bhakowska, a mother and Jacksonville resident, said safety concerns came up in her own family when her son asked for an e-bike.
“I’m concerned about my kids, so we don’t necessarily allow those,” Bhakowska said. “My son wanted it, but we talked about how it’s not safe.”
She said she believes 15 mph is a reasonable limit in areas where riders may encounter children and pedestrians.
“I think 15 is safe enough,” Bhakowska said. “When you go around neighborhoods, and there are kids playing, same with school zone areas, 15 is definitely safe enough.”
Mattie Brooken told News4JAX she supports the proposed speed restriction but believes the city should also consider the age of riders.
“Limit the age, put an age restriction on it, like 12 and under, no,” Brooken said. “You know, make sure they are old enough to react in a way that’s going to keep them safe.”
The original version of the ordinance included a minimum age provision, but that requirement was removed as council members revised the legislation.
What happens next?
Council member Michael Boylan introduced the e-bike ordinance in July.
The legislation was assigned to three council committees.
On Monday, the Rules Committee advanced a substitute version 5-2, while the Neighborhoods, Community Services, Public Health & Safety Committee advanced it 4-1. The Transportation, Energy & Utilities Committee approved the substitute 5-0 Tuesday.
That clears the committee process and sends the proposal back to the full Jacksonville City Council for consideration.
If approved, the ordinance would add the new e-bike regulations to Jacksonville’s traffic code.
Full statement from the Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office
The Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office takes the issue of reckless and unsafe e-bike use seriously, particularly when it poses a threat to motorists, pedestrians, and other road users.
JSO will continue to enforce the provisions of Florida state law related to reckless driving, including taking enforcement action when e-bike riders operate in a reckless or dangerous manner on our roadways.
With respect to the proposed ordinance, we do not believe establishing a new sidewalk speed limit accompanied by only 26 signs throughout the city provides sufficient or fair notice to the citizens who would be subject to that restriction. Clear and adequate notice is an important consideration when creating and enforcing a new traffic regulation.
Ultimately, the decision to adopt this ordinance or not is left up to the City Council. Regardless of their decision, JSO will continue to prioritize roadway safety and enforce applicable Florida law to address reckless or dangerous e-bike operations.
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