OVIEDO, Fla. – With summer break approaching, the Oviedo Police Department is taking a proactive stance on e-bike safety — and they want kids and parents to know the rules before someone gets hurt.
The department recently took to Facebook to address growing community concerns about children riding e-mobility devices on roads and sidewalks, warning that reckless use “can lead to serious injury or death.”
Chief Dale Coleman says the rapid rise in e-bike popularity has created new challenges for the community.
“As you know, there’s been an explosion of e-bikes and different varieties of that, whether it’s motorized scooters, one wheels and things of that nature,” Coleman said. “And really, our message is we want them to be safe.”
One of the chief’s biggest concerns is how quickly kids can cover ground — and the trouble that can follow.
“They can travel further. So, they can meet up with their friends. And a lot of times when that happens they get a little rambunctious, and they get out in the road and cause a traffic issue, or they get into on the sidewalk and block the sidewalk,” Coleman said.
That concern became reality when Oviedo City Councilmember Jeff Boddiford says he witnessed a crash firsthand in his own neighborhood. He brought up the incident at a council meeting this week where a teenager and car collided in a crosswalk area.
“Never lifted his head, didn’t have the helmet, was on the sidewalk, and just went right into the side of that car and went right up on the hood,” Boddiford said.
Boddiford says both the child and the driver were shaken up, but he worries the problem will only grow worse as summer arrives.
“The kids get these bikes and they’re going out and they think they’re indestructible,” Boddiford said. “I know we’re coming into the summertime, there’s going to be a lot of them out there.”
Oviedo not alone in e-bike challenges
Oviedo isn’t the only Central Florida city adjusting to the e-bike boom. In nearby Winter Springs, police say they have stopped dozens of kids on e-bikes this school year alone.
Coleman says there are key legal distinctions riders need to understand.
“If it’s a true e-bike, it’s allowed on the sidewalk. But, you know, you have to understand that the pedestrians have right-of-way,” Coleman said. “They also can ride in a roadway just like any other bicycle can.”
He adds that not all electric rides fall under the same rules.
“E-motorcycles are electric bikes without pedals. So, if they’re not pedaling it, it’s not legal anywhere on a public right-of-way,” Coleman said.
Know the law: Not all e-bikes are created equal
Understanding which device a child is riding — and where it’s legally allowed — can make all the difference. Here is a breakdown of what Florida law says:
E-bikes are defined under Florida law as bicycles or tricycles equipped with fully operable pedals and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. They are legal on public roads, bike paths and sidewalks. Riders must yield to pedestrians. Under Florida law (F.S. 316.20655), anyone 16 or younger is required to wear a helmet.
Florida law recognizes three classes of e-bikes:
Class 1 — Motor assists only while pedaling; tops out at 20 mph.
Class 2 — Motor can propel the bike without pedaling; tops out at 20 mph.
Class 3 — Motor assists only while pedaling; tops out at 28 mph.
E-motorcycles are a different story. These throttle-only devices have no pedals, exceed 28 mph and run on motors over 750 watts. They are not allowed on sidewalks and cannot be operated on city streets without a state-issued endorsement, insurance, a license plate and registration. Riders must be at least 16 and anyone under 21 is legally required to wear a helmet.
E-scooters and micromobility devices cannot be titled or registered in Florida but follow similar rules to bicycles on public roads and sidewalks. No driver’s license is required, but riders must still yield to pedestrians.
According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, injuries associated with all micromobility devices increased 21% in 2022 compared to 2021. Children 14 and younger accounted for 36% of those injuries, with 373 deaths recorded from 2017 through 2023.
In Oviedo, reckless operation of any e-mobility device can result in a $116 citation. Parents can also be cited if a child under 14 is caught riding recklessly — including driving down the middle of a road, impeding traffic, going the wrong way, riding dangerously on sidewalks or causing hazards in parks and public spaces.
For riders under 16, citations carry an added consequence: points through the state DMV that could delay or jeopardize their ability to get a driver’s license in the future. In the most serious cases, reckless operation is an arrestable offense.
Police also urge parents to monitor social media for what they describe as secret “takeovers” — organized events where riders converge on streets in dangerous numbers.
Education first, enforcement second
The department’s approach leans on education before enforcement — a strategy Coleman says makes sense given how quickly the technology has outpaced the law.
“Government is usually behind on getting regulations passed on this because, you know, three years ago they were more expensive and not that many people had them. But now, as each Christmas goes by and birthdays go by, it’s inviting more and more people to get them,” Coleman said.
Despite the challenges, Coleman says e-bikes themselves aren’t the problem.
“There’s nothing wrong with them. It’s just we got to know how to use them correctly,” he said.
Officers are currently conducting traffic stops, speaking with kids and parents, issuing citations for violations and handing out informational pamphlets. The department has also created a dedicated webpage for e-mobility safety and laws. Residents who spot unsafe riding can call Oviedo Police dispatch directly at 407-971-5700.
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