The Cape Coral Police Department is cracking down on the unsafe usage of electric bikes in Southwest Florida.According to the CCPD, many of the electric bikes spotted around Cape Coral are technically electric motorcycles under Florida law, which means they require a driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement, registration and insurance to be legally operated on the road.Electric bicycles are limited to motors under 750 watts, a maximum speed of 28 mph, and may be used on roads and sidewalks at lower speeds.Electric motorcycles have motors of more than 750 watts and are allowed to be operated on roadways.The CCPD said that a large number of the bikes officers are encountering are labeled “off-road use only,” making them illegal to ride on roads, sidewalks and in vacant lots not owned by the rider.The CCPD said that officers have responded to multiple incidents involving juveniles riding unregistered e-bikes at unsafe speeds on sidewalks or private property and attempting to evade the police.Some of the cases have resulted in arrests, including an incident in which a juvenile was riding an e-bike in a parking lot and fled from officers, one in which a juvenile was riding a unregistered e-bike in a shopping center parking lot and fled from officers, and a third in which two juveniles fled from officers after riding unregistered e-bikes recklessly on public streets, sidewalks and private property, the CCPD said.The CCPD said that to address the problem, the department will conduct targeted area patrols where unsafe e-bike activity is frequently reported. The CCPD said it will also enhance officer training on e-bike enforcement during roll calls.The CCPD will also work with the Lee County School Board to send educational materials home with students.DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
CAPE CORAL, Fla. —
The Cape Coral Police Department is cracking down on the unsafe usage of electric bikes in Southwest Florida.
According to the CCPD, many of the electric bikes spotted around Cape Coral are technically electric motorcycles under Florida law, which means they require a driver’s license with a motorcycle endorsement, registration and insurance to be legally operated on the road.
Electric bicycles are limited to motors under 750 watts, a maximum speed of 28 mph, and may be used on roads and sidewalks at lower speeds.
Electric motorcycles have motors of more than 750 watts and are allowed to be operated on roadways.
The CCPD said that a large number of the bikes officers are encountering are labeled “off-road use only,” making them illegal to ride on roads, sidewalks and in vacant lots not owned by the rider.
The CCPD said that officers have responded to multiple incidents involving juveniles riding unregistered e-bikes at unsafe speeds on sidewalks or private property and attempting to evade the police.
Some of the cases have resulted in arrests, including an incident in which a juvenile was riding an e-bike in a parking lot and fled from officers, one in which a juvenile was riding a unregistered e-bike in a shopping center parking lot and fled from officers, and a third in which two juveniles fled from officers after riding unregistered e-bikes recklessly on public streets, sidewalks and private property, the CCPD said.
The CCPD said that to address the problem, the department will conduct targeted area patrols where unsafe e-bike activity is frequently reported. The CCPD said it will also enhance officer training on e-bike enforcement during roll calls.
Cape Coral Police Department
E-bike educational guide
The CCPD will also work with the Lee County School Board to send educational materials home with students.
DOWNLOAD the free Gulf Coast News app for your latest news and alerts on breaking news, weather, sports, entertainment and more on your phone or tablet. And check out the Very Local Gulf Coast app to stream news, entertainment and original programming on your TV.
