(This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy.)
JUPITER – As electric bicycles soar in popularity, the number of problems with them are rising.
E-bikes are sparking a conversation in neighborhoods across Florida about how to keep their teenage riders safe. Some local officials say state law may have to provide better specifics for police departments to work to reduce dangerous e-bike riding. E-bikes have also led to property damage in North Palm Beach.
Crashes involving e-bikes killed at least two boys in Florida this month.
Rico Roundtree was a bubbly sixth-grader at Jupiter Middle School, known as the kind of boy who “was going to be the prom king,” one teacher said. The 12-year-old died in a crash on March 13 in Jupiter.
Along the Gulf Coast, Clayton Miller died March 15 when a car struck him as he rode his e-bike through a North Naples neighborhood. Described as “kind and loving,” the 14-year-old played football and had won a youth league championship with the Naples Hurricane.
What happened in the e-bike crash in Jupiter?
One boy died and a second boy was hospitalized after the e-bike on which they were riding crashed with a vehicle near Military Trail on March 13, police said in a news release posted on their Facebook page.
Police did not say how the car and the e-bike came into contact or officially identified Roundtree. Despite multiple public records requests, police have not yet released the incident report detailing what happened.
Police said in a prepared statement that “it does not appear there are any criminal violations regarding the traffic crash.” Police are ready to increase enforcement on e-bikes and e-motos in Jupiter following the crash, Chief Michael Barbera said.
How did e-bikes cause $20,000 of damage in North Palm Beach?
E-bikes, scooters, golf carts and bicycles are defacing a signature feature of North Palm Beach, village officials say.
Damage to the North Palm Beach Country Club has increased over the past few months. The majority of it is from people joyriding on the golf course at night, they say. They have damaged the course’s fairways and greens, sprinklers and sand traps, and led the village to spend more than $20,000 in repairs, records show.
The Village Council is trying to put a stop to the problem. They say tightening the language in the village code will help police officers enforce its regulations.
Are e-bikes legal in Florida?
Florida law governs the use of e-bikes.
It treats them like regular bicycles, said former Jupiter Police Chief David England, who noted that the laws surrounding e-bikes are “not as well-defined” as those for golf carts, which share the road with cars like bikes do.
If they are on a roadway, they have to ride at the same speed as cars. If not, they have to move over to a bike lane and follow traffic rules, Barbera said.
What are some e-bike laws in northern Palm Beach County?
Can you ride an e-bike on the sidewalk or beach in Florida?
E-bikes cannot use their motors on sidewalks; their riders can only pedal them like bicycles. They are generally allowed on beaches in areas where bicycles are permitted.
If they are ridden on the road, a person can either pedal or use the bike’s electric power, but they have to follow the road rules associated with bicycles.
Do you have to wear a helmet on an e-bike?
Florida law requires riders under the age of 16 to wear helmets.
There is no age restriction for riding e-bikes in Florida.
What is the difference between an e-bike and an e-moto?
An e-bike is a bicycle equipped with an electric motor that can reach speeds of up to 28 mph, about twice the speed a person can hit while pedaling quickly. They can reach about 30 mph when riders bypass the speed controls on the vehicles, which has become a trend.
An e-moto is an electric motorcycle that is larger and heavier than an e-bike. It is an off-road vehicle meant for dirt tracks. They are illegal to operate on public streets, highways or sidewalks.
E-motos can go as fast as 40 mph. When their speed controls are bypassed, they can reach almost 60 mph, or as fast as some cars travel on highways like Interstate 95.
What penalties could a minor face for a traffic violation on an e-bike?
If a minor is pulled over for a traffic violation on an e-bike, police may contact their parent or issue a citation.
If they are on an e-moto – an electric motorcycle that is illegal to operate on public streets – police may tow the vehicle at the parent or child’s expense, Barbera said. He added that if someone riding an e-moto flees when an officer tries to stop them, they could be charged with a felony.
A citation also could require them to pay a fine and delay their obtaining a driver’s license to age 18, rather than 16.
“Parents need to learn these rules and laws,” Barbera said. “Discuss them with your kids. … Make a determination to decide if an e-bike is really right for your child at their age.”
Maya Washburn covers northern Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida-Network. Reach her at mwashburn@pbpost.com. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: What are Palm Beach County and Florida e-bike laws? What to know about the popular bikes
Reporting by Maya Washburn, Palm Beach Post / Palm Beach Post
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
