06/04/2026
E-bikes: Know the rules and ride safely
E-bikes are becoming very popular, and it is important for everyone to know the rules regarding them and, most importantly, to ride them safely.
Under Florida law, e-bikes that have pedals are considered bicycles and must follow the same traffic rules as a bike without a motor, although there could be some exceptions in some areas. No license, registration, or insurance is required as long as your bike meets Florida's legal definition of an e-bike (it must have operable pedals, the motor must be under 750W, and the maximum speed is 28 mph assisted).
Know your class: There are three types of e-bikes. Class 1 and 2 max out at 20 mph, Class 3 goes up to 28 mph, and requires you to be at least 16 years old to ride. Your bike should have a label showing its classification, top speed, and motor wattage.
New rules (effective July 1): Senate Bill 382 adds pedestrian-focused safety rules. When riding on shared paths, you must yield to pedestrians and give them an audible signal before passing. On sidewalks or pedestrian areas, you can't exceed 10 mph if a pedestrian is within 50 feet.
Where you can ride depends on your class: All classes are allowed on public roads. Multi-use trails generally allow Classes 1 & 2. Class 3 is often restricted on shared paths in some areas, but not in Highlands County. Always check local ordinances before you ride.
Ride safely: From 2017–2022, e-bikes were linked to 53,000 ER visits and 104 deaths nationally. In 2022 alone, 24,400 ER visits were reported. Higher speeds mean longer stopping distances and more severe crashes.
If you have an e-bike, please ride safely and follow the rules. We would urge parents to make sure their children are old enough to ride responsibly before letting them hit the streets on an e-bike.
