DELAND, Fla – DeLand could soon crack down on e-bikes as city leaders prepare to vote on new restrictions that would ban them from downtown sidewalks.
The proposal, set for a Monday night meeting at 7 p.m., would also limit e-bike speeds to 10 mph on other sidewalks and require helmets for riders ages 17 and 18.
News 6 found a divide between those who want stricter rules and those who say regulation—not removal—is the better solution.
“I almost got clipped by someone going… upwards of 20 plus miles an hour on an e-scooter, and it could have easily put me in the ER,” said Kelly Joyce, owner of Empires Emporium in downtown DeLand.
Joyce said e-bikes have become a daily concern for business owners trying to attract customers and host events downtown.
“On the sidewalks, it does cause harm to small businesses,” Joyce said. “We’re trying to do an event like this today, and having someone ride by on a motorized vehicle is definitely not what small towns are or what even a big town would want for their sidewalks.”
Under the proposed changes, e-bikes would be banned entirely from downtown sidewalks. The ordinance also includes speed restrictions and new helmet requirements for younger riders.
Joyce said the issue is one of safety and control in a shared public space where pedestrians and riders often mix closely.
However, not all residents support a full ban.
Mark Grantham, a DeLand resident and e-bike user, said the devices should be regulated but not removed from sidewalks entirely.
“It’s rude and it’s unacceptable, but it needs to be regulated,” Grantham said.
He added that enforcement could be difficult for the city.
“The enforcement will be impossible just because of lack of staffing,” he said.
DeLand already prohibits bicycles, skateboards and rollerblades from downtown sidewalks. E-bikes could soon join that list if the measure is approved.
City leaders will vote on the proposal Monday at 7 p.m.
Officials are expected to take up the issue during a public meeting.
Breaking News Alerts
Get breaking news alerts delivered to your inbox.
Copyright 2026 by WKMG ClickOrlando – All rights reserved.
