e-bikes regulationse-bikes regulations

E-bikes raise concerns for Atlantic Beach commissioners

Published on October 31, 2024 at 10:45 am
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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. 

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“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. 


author image "Morning Edition" Host and Radio Reading Service Manager email Michelle Corum has been the voice of "Morning Edition" on WJCT since 2012. Her career spans public radio in Kansas and Michigan, and her work has been featured on NPR. She oversees WJCT's Radio Reading Service, and has been acknowledged for her newscasts by Florida AP Broadcasters. Corum also brings corporate communication expertise from D.C. and holds a master's from Central Michigan University and a journalism bachelor's from Troy University.

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