The bill, in part, would impose speed limits on e-bikes when riders are near pedestrians on shared-use paths.<\/p>\n
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. \u2014 An effort to start tightening rules on the use of electric bicycles is headed to Gov. Ron DeSantis.<\/p>\n
The House voted unanimously Monday to back the measure (SB 382) that in part would require e-bike operators to slow to 10 mph when within 50 feet of a pedestrian on sidewalks and other shared pathways.<\/p>\n
Those operators would also have to audibly warn a pedestrian before passing. Violators could be ticketed similar to a non-moving violation.<\/p>\n
The measure, approved unanimously by the Senate on Feb. 25, also creates a safety taskforce within the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles to make additional \u201ctraffic safety\u201d recommendations for electric bicycle operations.<\/p>\n
E-bikes are defined as vehicles that have pedals, a seat and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. Currently, E-bikes are viewed by the state the same as any human power bicycle, where the operator doesn\u2019t have to hold a driver\u2019s license or vehicle registration.<\/p>\n
Florida doesn\u2019t pre-empt local governments from adopting ordinances governing the operation of electric bicycles on streets, highways, and sidewalks within its jurisdiction. However, local governments are preempted from restricting or prohibiting E-bike use on a bicycle path, multiuse path or trail network.<\/p>\n
The proposal requires the Florida Highway Patrol, sheriff\u2019s offices and municipal police departments to compile data on traffic crashes involving electric bicycles, including if the operators had a driver\u2019s license, the age of the operator and the class of the vehicle.<\/p>\n