TAMPA, Fla. — While a bill aimed at regulating electric bikes across Florida is set to be debated in the Florida House, communities statewide are grappling with the rapid rise in e-bike usage.
The proposed legislation would establish new safety requirements, including setting speed limits for riders in certain situations. The debate comes as colleges, cities, and neighborhoods report growing concerns about safety as e-bikes and e-scooters become more common modes of transportation.
What You Need To Know
Since last fall, USF officials say there have been a dozen accidents involving e-bikes, pedestrians and vehicles
The spike in accidents has led to a campaign by USF to share safety tips for e-bike riders, pedestrians and drivers
Officials say excessive speed is the top cause of e-bike accidents across the state
Legislators are debating a bill right now that would set a speed limit of 10 mph for e-bikes that come within 50 feet of pedestrians
At the University of South Florida, the impact of the e-bike boom is especially visible.
USF’s Tampa campus is a densely packed environment, with as many as 45,000 vehicles circulating on campus on any given day. Parking challenges and heavy traffic have made e-bikes and e-scooters an increasingly popular alternative for students and staff.
But with that surge in use has come a noticeable increase in accidents.
Since last fall, approximately a dozen crashes involving e-bikes, pedestrians, and cars have been reported on campus.
USF Regional Police Chief David Hendry said the university is taking a proactive approach by launching a safety campaign aimed at riders, drivers, and pedestrians alike.
“They may not be seen as well in the community,” Hendry said. “We’re educating drivers to be prepared for these vehicles, which may cross into a crosswalk at a greater rate of speed than a pedestrian normally would. It’s a universal approach — not just educating the users of the transportation mode, but also educating drivers on the roadway.”
University officials emphasized that safety awareness must extend beyond e-bike riders to include motorists and pedestrians who share the same spaces.
The legislation under consideration in Tallahassee would require e-bike riders to slow to 10 mph when approaching pedestrians. It would also mandate that law enforcement agencies track e-bike-related accidents and establish a state task force to further study their use and impact.
USF officials say they would support legislation designed to make e-bike use safer.
Late last year, the city of Tampa debated a local ordinance that would have set a 10 mph speed limit for e-bikes. However, the proposal was ultimately struck down by Tampa City Council members after significant pushback from residents.
As lawmakers revisit the issue at the state level, the debate highlights a growing challenge for communities across Florida: finding a balance between the convenience and environmental benefits of e-bikes and public safety concerns in increasingly crowded spaces.
