INVERNESS, Fla. — State regulations for electric bikes could soon be coming to communities across Florida.
What You Need To Know
Senate Bill 382, known as the Micromobility Device Bill, sets state guidelines for e-bike use, including rules about where they can be ridden and how fast they can travel in certain areas
Among them are speed limits, pedestrian right-of-way and violations
Inverness city leaders say any local ordinances will likely be based on what the state does, but not everyone thinks new regulations are necessary
The bill heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who will decide whether to sign it into law
The state legislature just passed a bill that would set new rules for e-bikes, including how fast they can travel in certain areas. Local leaders in Inverness are watching closely as the popular mode of transportation continues to grow along the Nature Coast.
In Citrus County, riding a bike is part of the culture. Home to the popular Withlacoochee State Trail, the area attracts cyclists from across the country.
“We have one of the most visited trails in the United States, the Withlacoochee bicycle trail,” said Ryan DeLarco, who owns Sparky’s Green Rides bicycle shop.
He says one type of bike is quickly taking over the market. Electric, or e-bikes, have become a hot seller.
“The e-bike market is definitely 90% or more of most bicycle shops nowadays versus traditional bicycles,” said DeLarco.
DeLarco says e-bikes are helping people get outdoors and back on trails.
“Just getting everybody back out on the roadways and on the trails,” says DeLarco. “It’s friendly, eco-friendly way to get people around.”
But as e-bikes become more common, so do questions about how they should be regulated. Senate Bill 382, known as the Micromobility Device Bill, sets state guidelines for e-bike use, including rules about where they can be ridden and how fast they can travel in certain areas.
Among them:
• Speed Limits: E-bike operators must reduce speed to 10 mph or less when within 50 feet of a pedestrian on sidewalks, paths and trails.
• Pedestrian Right-of-Way: Riders must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal when overtaking or passing.
• Violations: Violations are treated as noncriminal traffic infractions, with potential fines.
City Manager Eric Williams says Inverness leaders have been watching the issue closely.
“We have a lot of young people on these e-bikes, and it’s sort of an area where I think the state’s going to, hopefully, bring some good state statutes into play that. If you still need local regulation, you can build upon it,” said Williams.
Williams says any local ordinances will likely be based on what the state does, but not everyone thinks new regulations are necessary.
“I don’t think we need a separate set of rules because we already have the rules in place,” said Thomas Craig, president of the Friends of Withlacoochee State Trail.
He says education for e-bike riders may be a better approach.
“We have people who bicycle through this town all the time, and they obey the signs,” said Craig. “They stop at stop signs, and they go on green lights. The bicyclists still have to follow the rules of the road.”
He says e-bike riders can be taught to do the same. With e-bikes continuing to grow in popularity, business owners say they’re not going anywhere anytime soon in either urban or rural environments.
“I don’t see any signs of it slowing down,” said DeLarco.
It’s just another way people are getting around the Nature Coast.
Senate Bill 382 now heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis, who will decide whether to sign it into law.
