TALLAHASSEE — Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed a bill June 25 that would have imposed new rules for riding electric bicycles.
The bill passed the Florida Legislature unanimously earlier this year.
DeSantis expressed concern about its provision banning riders from going more than 10 mph within 50 feet of a pedestrian. A violation would be punished the same as a nonmoving violation of a vehicle, with fines of more than $100.
Also, such a violation “would inevitably be enforced with speed detection and surveillance devices,” DeSantis’ veto letter states.
DeSantis was also leery of the task force the bill set up to study and make recommendations for further electric bicycle regulations.
“This bill will likely lead to enhanced surveillance by local governments against citizens. Moreover, the bill creates a task force, yet substantive changes are also implemented prior to any task force recommendations,” DeSantis wrote.