ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Florida lawmakers have proposed a bill that could strengthen electric bike laws.
The bill would have a new licensing requirement, and riders could face fines for modifying their bike.
E-bikes have changed EBike Adventures of St Pete owner Drew Pomeroy’s life.
“After about 100 yards, when you first get on it, you get a big grin from ear to ear,” said Pomeroy.
Pomeroy has rheumatoid arthritis, so getting that extra push from the bike makes a real difference. Now, he is sharing his love for the hobby by renting out his fleet of e-bikes through his business.
He said that almost all of his customers are over 50, but e-bikes can be appealing to younger riders as well.
Pomeroy said that sometimes when he sees kids on e-bikes, they aren’t always following the rules. He said some have even changed their bikes to go faster than factory settings.
“I see them speeding past the posted speed limit, and they’re not pedaling. They’re motorized by either electrical or even regular motors. I think that’s the biggest concern right now within the industry,” Pomeroy said.
Florida lawmakers have proposed new restrictions for e-bikes.
If passed, people riding class three e-bikes, bikes capable of going up to 28 miles an hour, must have a valid learner’s driver license or a driver’s license.
It would also add questions about electric bicycles and motorized scooters to the driver’s license exam.
Additionally, riders could also face a $100 fine for a first offense for modifying an e-bike’s speed.
“It’s so important to know these rules of the road. Now you’re on the road, you need to know all these rules and having a learner’s permit or a license allows you to do that,” Pomeroy said.
The bill also requires that crash reports identify whether the crash involved a motorized scooter, an electric bicycle or an electric motorcycle.
That would be in an effort to track traffic trends.
Finally, the bill would classify e-bikes that go over 28 miles an hour as electric motorcycles. The Florida Bicycle Association said that means faster e-bikes will be subject to motorcycle-style regulations.
“I don’t think the parents realize what they’re getting for their kids. Electric motorcycle, it’s not an e-bike and there’s a significant difference, and I’m glad that the legislature is looking at that,” said Richard Garrett, president of the Florida Bicycle Association.
The Florida Bicycle Association is surveying cyclists to assess what people think of the bill. So far, Garrett said, a majority are in favor of most sections but there are some concerns about accessibility.
“So we have to make some accommodations, I think from our perspective, to allow accessibility for people who might be not have a driver’s license but yet are too old to have one or couldn’t get one for some reason,” Garrett said.
For Pomeroy, being active even with limited mobility is something he is grateful for.
“I think it’s a great start,” Pomeroy said.
The bill is now getting its start with a first reading in the Florida House.
Tyler O’Neill
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