SARASOTA, Fla. (WWSB) – State lawmakers have approved a bill aimed at addressing growing safety concerns about e-bikes across Florida.
Senate Bill 382 would create new safety rules for e-bike riders, including a requirement that riders slow to 10 miles per hour on sidewalks, shared-use paths and in parks when pedestrians are within 50 feet. Violators could face a $30 fine.
The proposal comes as communities across Florida report growing concerns about speeding riders and serious crashes.
“It’s an unregulated problem. Which is only getting exponentially worse, really exponentially worse,” said Ira Leesfield, managing partner at Leesfield & Partners.
The bill would create a state task force to study micro-mobility devices, including e-bikes, and recommend future safety improvements. It would also require law enforcement agencies to track crashes involving e-bikes and other similar motorized vehicles.
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Leesfield said while stories of serious e-bike crashes have made headlines, there is little hard data to measure the full scope of the problem.
“There is anecdotal evidence of the danger of these devices but there’s not documented evidence,” Leesfield said.
Dawn Zielinski, president of the Village Idiots Cycling Club, said the bill addresses safety concerns while supporting young riders.
“The e-motos can be dangerous. And yes we’ve all seen them riding in the middle of the streets and doing wheelies and being unsafe,” Zielinski said.
Zielinski said supporters want to ensure children and teens can ride safely.
“I love that they’re riding bikes. It’s great. It gives you so much freedom as a child but we want you to be safe,” Zielinski said.
If Gov. Ron DeSantis signs the bill into law, the new rules would take effect July 1.
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