The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office is stepping up enforcement and education efforts about e-bikes. | News4Jax
Published on August 12, 2025 at 12:34 pm
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St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick is taking action to improve safety for young e-bike riders. After recent injuries involving children on e-bikes, Hardwick is drafting legislation to update Florida’s e-bike laws.
“We just had a meeting with school officials, county commissioners and staff to discuss how to do better,” Hardwick said. “We’re looking at e-bike rodeos like the old bicycle rodeos — teaching kids and parents the rules of the road, helmet safety and pedestrian awareness.”
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The sheriff praised the county’s traffic division for its summer campaign educating riders and parents. Flyers explaining safety rules were distributed. Some kids were cited and deputies contacted parents of children who continued to not follow the rules.
Hardwick said the legislation will clarify e-bike regulations, which currently fall under bicycle statutes.
“E-motos stand on their own now, treated like motorcycles. But e-bikes are more like mopeds with pedals — we need clear laws for them,” Hardwick said. “We are drafting as we speak.”
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Hardwick said Sen. Tom Leek, R-Ormond Beach, and Rep. Kim Kendall, R- St. Augustine, have agreed to sponsor the bill in the Senate and House.
“When you have blood on your hands from kids getting hurt, it’s time to act,” Hardwick said.
The Sheriff’s Office is also partnering with the St. Johns County school district to launch mandatory e-bike safety classes for sixth through eighth graders. Taught by resource deputies, the classes will cover helmet use, road rules and safe riding practices.
“It’s a train-the-trainer model,” Hardwick said. “Our deputies train school staff, who then teach students in their schools. We want to reach as many kids as possible.”
The classes will last about 30 to 45 minutes and aim to be completed in the first semester. “We’re teaching the basic laws from Florida’s bicycle statute and emphasizing safety,” Hardwick said.
This story was produced by News4Jax, a Jacksonville Today news partner.
