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E-Bike Safety
The popularity of e-bikes & e-scooters is on the rise in Palm Beach Gardens! The Palm Beach Gardens Police Department reminds the public to put safety first when 'Gliding Through Gardens' on an electric bike (e-bike) or electric scooter (e-scooter).
Do you know how to High Five? By following a few safety tips, you can make e-biking safe for you and others!
1. KNOW YOUR TRAFFIC LAWS: E-bikes are allowed on roads (except limited access highways), bike lanes, bike paths, multi-use paths and sidewalks. When on the road, bikers must follow all traffic laws including riding with traffic and obeying traffic/signals.
2. PROTECT YOURSELF: Always wear a helmet, limit distractions, and never wear earbuds when riding.
3. CONTROL YOUR SPEED AND BRAKE EARLY: E-bikes and electric scooters are quick to pick up momentum and can cause severe injury when at high speeds. Give yourself the appropriate amount of time to slow down.
4. BE AWARE OF TRAFFIC & PEDESTRIANS: The more predictably you ride, the safer you are. Don't weave in and out of traffic, and always be courteous to pedestrians around you.
5. STAY VISIBLE: Wear bright or reflective clothing and use lights when riding in low-light conditions or at night.
Florida law treats electric bicycles much like traditional bicycles, granting riders the same rights and responsibilities, while still allowing local governments to set their own rules for where e-bikes can operate, such as on trails, beaches or multiuse paths. E-bikes don’t require licenses, registration or insurance, but they must follow federal safety standards, display a permanent label showing their class and motor specs, and operate so the motor cuts off when pedaling stops or brakes are applied. Riders can generally use e-bikes anywhere bicycles are allowed. For a clear and complete breakdown of these regulations, check out Section 316.20655 at the dropdown menu below for Florida’s Electric Bicycle Regulations.
- Except as otherwise provided in this section, an electric bicycle or an operator of an electric bicycle shall be afforded all the rights and privileges, and be subject to all of the duties, of a bicycle or the operator of a bicycle, including s. 316.2065. An electric bicycle is a vehicle to the same extent as a bicycle. However, this section may not be construed to prevent a local government, through the exercise of its powers under s. 316.008, from adopting an ordinance governing the operation of electric bicycles on streets, highways, sidewalks, and sidewalk areas under or within the local government’s jurisdiction; to prevent a municipality, county, or agency of the state having jurisdiction over a bicycle path, multiuse path, or trail network from restricting or prohibiting the operation of an electric bicycle on a bicycle path, multiuse path, or trail network; or to prevent a municipality, county, or agency of the state having jurisdiction over a beach as defined in s. 161.54(3) or a dune as defined in s. 161.54(4) from restricting or prohibiting the operation of an electric bicycle on such beach or dune.
- An electric bicycle or an operator of an electric bicycle is not subject to the provisions of law relating to financial responsibility, driver or motor vehicle licenses, vehicle registration, title certificates, off-highway motorcycles, or off-highway vehicles.
- Beginning January 1, 2021, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed in a prominent location to each electric bicycle. The label must contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle.
- A person may not tamper with or modify an electric bicycle so as to change the motor-powered speed capability or engagement of an electric bicycle, unless the label indicating the classification number required in subsection (3) is replaced after such modification.
- An electric bicycle must comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission under 16 C.F.R. part 1512.
- An electric bicycle must operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the rider stops pedaling or when the brakes are applied.
- An operator may ride an electric bicycle where bicycles are allowed, including, but not limited to, streets, highways, roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes, and bicycle or multiuse paths.
There is a perception that it is unlawful or unsafe for e-bikes and e-scooters to be operated on the city sidewalks and roadways.
Florida Statue FSS 316.2128 specifies that the operator of micromobility devices and motorized scooters have all the rights and duties applicable to the rider of a bicycle under FSS 316.2065.
FSS 316.2065 gives riders the choice to ride on the roadways and sidewalks. Section (10) states: a person propelling a bicycle upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a sidewalk, shall yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and shall give audible signal before overtaking and passing the pedestrian.