ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – E-bikes continue to be a hot-button issue, particularly in St. Johns County, where several crashes involving children have left residents questioning the safety of electric bikes.
Now, new regulations from the Florida Legislature could make riding an e-bike more restrictive but ultimately safer, local leaders say.
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Senate Bill 462, which is awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ signature, would go into effect on July 1.
Key provisions of the bill include:
- Allowing local governments to adopt ordinances establishing minimum age requirements for operating an electric bicycle
- Allowing local governments to require operators of electric bicycles to possess government-issued IDs while riding
- Allowing local governments to provide training on the safe operation of e-bikes and compliance with relevant traffic laws
St. Johns County Commissioner Ann Taylor, who represents District 5, said she views these regulations as an additional tool in the county’s safety toolbox.
“What’s happening in St. Johns County is happening across the state,” she said, referring to the rise in e-bike crashes, with two incidents reported in the past two months.
On Monday, a 15-year-old collided with an Amazon delivery vehicle in Nocatee and had to be airlifted to a hospital with serious injuries.
Witness Greg Webb, who recently moved to Nocatee, shared his concerns after witnessing that crash.
“I think it’s got to be some kind of mandate or age of these kids, the speeds of these bikes,” Webb stated.
In another alarming incident, a 12-year-old boy had to be airlifted to a local trauma center in April after he was involved in a serious crash while riding his e-bike on Race Track Road near Julington Creek Plantation.
Residents like Webb are calling for action, and state lawmakers have responded by passing Senate Bill 462, which empowers local governments to implement stricter regulations for e-bikes.
Taylor expressed optimism about the new law.
“I think this is just one more tool to say to our residents, ‘Yes, we hear you. Yes, St. Johns County cares. Yes, we do want to do something moving forward,’” Taylor said.
Despite her support for a proposed e-bike ordinance that commissioners considered last week, the majority of commissioners opted for a resolution instead.
“One of the concerns is that we have a lot of laws and rules that are already on the books, and many of those aren’t being followed,” Taylor acknowledged.
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is actively promoting e-bike safety education for children and teens. Taylor believes this education is crucial for ensuring the safety of bike riders.
“I know I spoke with someone just this week who talked to a child on an e-bike who went right through a stop sign. When asked about it, the teenager said they didn’t think that applied to them,” she said.
Although the commissioners opted against an ordinance last week, Taylor plans to advocate for a new ordinance during the commission’s next meeting, especially with the new state law set to take effect next month, once the governor signs it.
