E-bikes raise concerns for Atlantic Beach commissioners

Atlantic Beach is discussing the need to regulate e-bikes, which some city commissioners consider potentially dangerous.

Commissioners took up the issue this week. Commissioner Candace Kelly sees electric bikes whipping by on both roads and sidewalks. 

“They’re quiet and they’re fast, and a lot of times they are ridden recklessly by younger people,” Kelly said.   

Kelly said she’s seen kids riding e-bikes to elementary school. She’d like to see Florida set a minimum age limit.

“The state rules need to give us more local control, you know home rules, and perhaps there does need to be an age limit,” she said. “Do you think a 9-year-old is capable of riding a bike that goes 20 mph?”

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Kelly said the Atlantic Beach commission can do little about e-bikes because of state statutes, except perhaps to lower the speed limit to 15 mph, which Neptune Beach did over the summer.  

Jacksonville Beach also is looking at further regulating electric bikes, including being able to issue tickets to lawbreakers.