{"id":185786,"date":"2026-03-10T15:39:09","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T15:39:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/185786\/"},"modified":"2026-03-10T15:39:09","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T15:39:09","slug":"new-e-bike-rules-head-to-desantis-desk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-fl\/185786\/","title":{"rendered":"New E-bike rules head to DeSantis’ desk"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"Credit: Shutterstock<\/p>\n

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

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