YESTERDAY. >> IN JUST THE LAST 30 MINUTES, CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS APPROVED MOVING AHEAD WITH PLANS TO MAKE RIDING E-BIKES SAFER. >> THE CHANGES COME AFTER ALMOST 30 E BIKE CRASHES OVER A FOUR-MONTH SPAN LAST YEAR, INCLUDING ONE THAT TURNED DEADLY GULF COAST NEWS IS JACKIE GUNTHER HAS MORE ON THE MAJOR CHANGES COMING YOUR WAY. >> THE INCREASE IN E-BIKES ALSO MEANS THE INCREASE OF E-BIKE CRASHES HERE IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS ARE TAKING INITIATIVE AFTER ONE E-BIKE CRASH LEFT SOMEONE DEAD HERE ALONG HARBOR BOULEVARD BACK IN SEPTEMBER, TAMMY TRIBUNE WALKS HER DOG JD EVERY DAY. SHE SAYS SHE HAS HAD A COUPLE OF CLOSE CALLS WITH E-BIKE RIDERS. THEY ARE VERY RECKLESS. EVEN JUST WALKING OUR DOG. WE’VE ALMOST BEEN HIT BECAUSE YOU THEY COME UP TO FROST ON YOU AND THEY DON’T KNOW HOW TO CONTROL. THIS IS VIDEO FROM THE AFTERMATH OF THE DEADLY CRASH FROM SEPTEMBER. A FEW MONTHS LATER DOWN THE ROAD ON 41, A WOMAN HAD TO BE AIRLIFTED TO THE HOSPITAL AFTER SHE CRASHED OVER THE COURSE OF JUST 4 MONTHS LAST YEAR. THE COUNTY RECORDED 30 ACCIDENTS INVOLVING E-BIKES. TODAY. COMMISSIONERS MOVED FORWARD TO BAN THE E-BIKES ON TRAILS AND GREENWAYS UNANIMOUSLY. THEY’RE ALSO CONSIDERING TO ENFORCE A 15 MILE PER HOUR SPEED LIMIT ON SIDEWALKS. >> HOW MANY REQUIREMENTS FOR RIDERS, 16 AND YOUNGER PROPER LIGHTING AFTER DARK IN CLEAR RULES THAT GIVE PEDESTRIANS THE RIGHT OF WAY. WRITERS WOULD ALSO NEED TO SIGNAL BEFORE PASSING SOMEONE ON FOOT. BREAKING THESE RULES COULD LEAD TO A CITATION. TRIBUNE SAYS SHE’S THRILLED THE COUNTY IS WORKING TO MAKE THINGS SAFER FOR EVERYONE. I’M VERY HAPPY THEY’RE VERY COMPARABLE TO A MOPED. FAR AS I’M CONCERNED AND YOU HAVE TO HAVE A LICENSE HAVE A MOPED. OKAY WITH THE ASSIST ONES. BUT THE ONES THAT ARE FULL. >> AND JEN, THEY NEED TO HAVE SOMETHING COMMISSIONERS ARE NOT LOOKING TO RESTRICT THE USE OF E-BIKES. THEY JUST WANT TO MAKE RIDING THEM SAFER FOR RIDERS. >> AND PEDESTRIANS ALIKE REPORTING IN CHARLOTTE COUNTY. I’M JACKIE GUNTHER GULF COAST NEWS. >> AN E-BIKE SAFETY REMAINS A FOCUS FOR CITIES ALL ACROSS THE GULF COAST IN CAPE CORAL. POLICE SAY THEY’RE CRACKING DOWN ON E-BIKES LABELED FOR OFF-ROAD USE ONLY THEY’RE KEEPING AN EYE OUT FOR A BIKES BEING USED ON SIDEWALKS AND ROADS ILLEGALLY SIDEWALKS. PETER CAP TO 10 MILES PER HOUR. SANIBEL ONLY ALLOWS PEDAL ASSIST BIKES TO RIDE ON SHARED USE PATHS. AS FOR COLLIER COUNTY RIDERS, THERE ARE CAPPED AT 15 MILES PER HOUR ON SIDEWALKS, KIDS YOUNGER THAN 16 CANNOT RIDE HIGH POWERED CLASS. 3, BIKES. THE RULES AND COLLIER WERE APPROVED AFTER 14 YEAR-OLD CLAYTON MILLER DIED WHEN HE CRASHED HIS BIKE WITH AN SU
Charlotte County considers e-bike safety rules with a public meeting
Updated: 1:10 PM EST Feb 10, 2026
Charlotte County commissioners are discussing new safety measures at a public meeting on e-bikes after a fatal crash on Harbor Boulevard in September, as the increase in e-bike usage has led to more collisions.Tammy Trebian walks her dog JD daily and has experienced close calls with e-bike riders. “They are very reckless. Even just walking our dog, we’ve almost been hit by them because they come up too fast on you, and they don’t know how to control them,” Trebian said.In the aftermath of the deadly crash in September, another incident occurred a few months later, also on Route 41, where a woman had to be airlifted to the hospital following a crash.Over four months last year, the county recorded 30 collisions involving e-bikes, leading commissioners to consider implementing new rules.Proposed measures include a 15 mph speed limit on sidewalks, helmet requirements for riders 16 or younger, proper lighting after dark, and clear rules giving pedestrians the right of way. Riders would also need to signal before passing someone on foot, and e-bikes could be prohibited from trails and greenways. Violating these rules could result in a citation. The meeting to discuss e-bike safety is at 10 a.m. at the commission chambers.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.
CHARLOTTE COUNTY, Fla. —
Charlotte County commissioners are discussing new safety measures at a public meeting on e-bikes after a fatal crash on Harbor Boulevard in September, as the increase in e-bike usage has led to more collisions.
Tammy Trebian walks her dog JD daily and has experienced close calls with e-bike riders. “They are very reckless. Even just walking our dog, we’ve almost been hit by them because they come up too fast on you, and they don’t know how to control them,” Trebian said.
In the aftermath of the deadly crash in September, another incident occurred a few months later, also on Route 41, where a woman had to be airlifted to the hospital following a crash.
Over four months last year, the county recorded 30 collisions involving e-bikes, leading commissioners to consider implementing new rules.
Proposed measures include a 15 mph speed limit on sidewalks, helmet requirements for riders 16 or younger, proper lighting after dark, and clear rules giving pedestrians the right of way.
Riders would also need to signal before passing someone on foot, and e-bikes could be prohibited from trails and greenways. Violating these rules could result in a citation.
The meeting to discuss e-bike safety is at 10 a.m. at the commission chambers.
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.
