Questions arise after 12-year-old’s death on minibike

The death of a 12-year-old child on a gas-powered minibike in St. Johns County is raising questions about how these bikes and others are regulated under Florida law.

The child, who has not been identified, was hit by an SUV on Tuesday in a crosswalk in front of Patriot Oaks Academy in northwest St. Johns County.

The Sheriff’s Office described the vehicle as a “99cc gas-powered mini-dirt bike.” These are small two-wheel motorbikes with knobby tires. They are designed for off-road trail riding and, under Florida law, are not legal to operate on public roads.

They differ from e-bikes, which are propelled by pedals and an electric helper-motor. But neither type of bike requires a driver’s license.

In St. Johns County, a 17-year-old was driving the SUV that hit the 12-year-old minibike rider. The SUV driver, also unidentified, has not been charged, although an investigation continues.

The law on minibikes

Minibikes are advertised at many retail stores and online sites for $300 to $1,000. They generate about 3 horsepower from their small gas engines and can hit speeds of up to 28 mph.

According to Florida Statute 316.2128, minibikes may not be registered as motor vehicles and may not be operated on sidewalks.

The statute also says that anyone who sells a minibike must post a notice saying the vehicle is not legal on public roads and can be used only on private property.

Why the 12-year-old was riding a minibike near a school is unclear.

Sheriff’s Office spokesperson Taylor Levesque said the academy released its students about 2:20 p.m. Tuesday. She said that the crash occurred just before 3:30 p.m.

“The child attended the school, but the school release time and time of the crash are not related,” she said. “This did not occur during school release times.”

School district spokesperson Christina Upchurch confirmed that the crash occurrred after a crossing guard had left. The guards’ afternoon work starts at 2:15 p.m., and they remain on duty for about 25 minutes.

The child did not go on school grounds with the minibike, Upchurch said. And she said the child “did not ride the gas-powered minibike to school.”

Neither the school district nor the Sheriff’s Office explained why the child was riding the minibike near the school an hour after dismissal.

Levesque said that where the victim was going is a part of the investigation. The crosswalk outside the school connects directly to a walkway off Longleaf Pine Parkway that goes into one of the many subdivisions to its north of the school, where many students live and walk or bicycle to class daily.

The Code of Conduct

The school district’s Student Code of Conduct has rules for any student riding bicycles, electric bicycles or scooters. Helmets are required in line with state law.

The 12-year-old outside Patriot Oaks Academy was wearing a helmet.

“For their safety, students should never ride any type of bicycle, electric bike, or scooter on school grounds,” the code of conduct says. “Upon arrival at school, students are required to disembark their vehicle at the entry gate and walk it to the designated storage area.”

Students also must stay off their two-wheelers until they have left campus, the code says.

As for e-bikes, state law allows anyone who is at least 16 years old to ride one if it cannot go faster than 20 mph.

A number of serious e-bike crashes in St. Johns County last year prompted the Sheriff’s Office to partner with the school district to launch mandatory e-bike safety classes for sixth through eighth graders.

The safety campaign came just months after Wolfson Children’s Hospital reported that its doctors observed a 222% increase in injuries related to e-bikes and e-scooters from 2023 to 2024. Based on data from the first five months of 2025, the children’s hospital in Jacksonville said e-bike injuries were on track to double again.

The St. Johns County Board of Commissioners also approved a resolution in August 2025 on e-bike safety, forming an alliance with the Sheriff’s Office and school district to partner on public education and enforcement efforts with the community.

Gas minibike safety is included in safety lectures the Sheriff’s Office holds at schools, the department said.

The Sheriff’s Office and school district also attended a community traffic safety program sponsored by the Florida Department of Transportation in August 2025, to work on e-bike protocols.

The group also discussed Senate Bill 462 – Transportation, which went into effect July 1, 2025, and gives local governments the authority to adopt additional regulations related to electric bicycles.

To that end, St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick was drafting legislation to update Florida’s laws regarding e-bikes. CS/HB 243 would set up requirements for operation of electric bicycles, plus penalties for violations. The bill was temporarily postponed in the Florida House in mid-February.

Mourning the death

As a memorial of flowers and candles grows in front of Patriot Oaks Academy, Principal Drew Chiodo announced that counselors and the school district’s crisis response team would be on campus “for as long as necessary to ensure everyone has access to care.”

“Our deepest sympathy and heartfelt concern are with the student’s family, close friends, neighbors, classmates, and teachers during this incredibly difficult time,” Chiodo wrote. “The coming days will be challenging for our school community. Please know that you are not alone.”

At nearby Switzerland Point Middle School, the Parent Teacher Student Organization posted that they want to show their neighbors “that they are not alone.” The group urged the county’s school communities to join together in support on Friday.

“We are asking all students and staff to wear red, white and blue (the Patriot Oaks school colors),” the message said. “Our goal is to show the families, students, and staff that the entire St. Johns County community is standing with them during this incredibly difficult time.”