As electric bicycles, also known as e-bikes, have continued to gain popularity in the Pensacola area and statewide, both state legislators and Pensacola city officials are working to address safety concerns that have emerged.
State Task Force Proposed
The Florida Senate Transportation Committee unanimously approved SB 382, sponsored by Sen. Keith Truenow (R-Tavares), which would establish an Electric Bicycle Safety Task Force to study the issue and recommend regulatory improvements.
The senator significantly revised his original proposal after stakeholders raised concerns about enforceability. Rather than immediate enforcement measures, the amended bill focuses on data collection and a comprehensive study.
- “The purpose of the task force is to examine and recommend improvements to state law and regulatory framework governing electric bicycles in order to encourage the safe operation of electric bicycles and to prevent traffic incidents, injuries, and fatalities involving such bicycles,” the bill states.
The task force would include law enforcement representatives, e-bike industry members, and other stakeholders, with a report due to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles this fall.
Speed Limits: The amended bill still proposes speed restrictions for e-bike operators. Truenow indicated he would initially like to see speeds capped at 10 mph on sidewalks, trails, and pathways.
- Local Action: Several Florida communities have already moved forward with local regulations. Palm Coast passed an ordinance in October prohibiting owners from modifying battery-powered engines to exceed 30 mph. St. Johns County launched a safety awareness campaign in partnership with the Sheriff’s Office and the school district.
Pensacola Mayor Signals Intent
Mayor D.C. Reeves announced at his Jan. 15 press conference that his staff is preparing its own regulatory approach, particularly focused on Class 3 e-bikes capable of reaching 28 mph.
“At some point, what’s the difference between that and a slow motorcycle or a dirt bike?” Reeves said. “Technology has now clouded our judgment between something that moves at close to 30 miles an hour, and something that we would all agree would need to have a license plate, a license to know the rules of the road.”
The mayor referenced a recent incident involving youth on an e-bike at Cordoba Park as highlighting the urgency of the issue.
- Reeves indicated the city is considering requiring at least a learner’s permit for Class 3 e-bike operators. “If you’ve been given a learner’s permit for driving, you at least have a basic understanding of the rules of the road and that an 11-year-old or a 12-year-old wouldn’t have.”
Public Safety Priority
The mayor stressed that any proposed ordinance would require City Council approval and input from the police department on enforceability.
“Job number one is public safety, period,” Reeves stated. “We are not here to be regulators of fun, but… we will not put fun for an 11-year-old over keeping drivers and keeping the kids in this community safe.”
- No specific timeline has been set for bringing an ordinance to the council.
