Fw: 🚲⚡ Florida’s E-Bike Laws Are Changing
Tom Saunders
Sent: Tuesday, February 10, 2026 3:21 PM
To: saunde...@gmail.com <saunde...@gmail.com>
Subject: 🚲⚡ Florida’s E-Bike Laws Are Changing
In a recent interview with the Coastal Star, Florida leaders and local residents described what many of us are seeing: more e-bikes on roads, paths, and sidewalks — and more questions about safety, speed, and enforcement. Richard Garrett, President of the Florida Bicycle Association (FBA), emphasized that the technology has moved quickly, and Florida needs a clearer, statewide framework that protects people walking and supports safe, predictable riding. This is a plain-language update on CS/HB 243 (and its companion SB 382) — what’s in the current version, what’s been removed, and why it matters for people who walk, ride, and drive in Florida. ⏱️ The quick summary✅ The latest version of CS/HB 243 would:
🚫 What is NOT in the bill (important)Before we get into the operating rules, here’s what has been removed from earlier drafts:
❌ No new licensing requirements for e-bike riders ✅ Translation: This current version is more focused than earlier drafts and is aimed at shared-space behavior + better crash data. 🛣️ The operating rules: paths and sidewalksThis is the part most people will notice day-to-day, because it’s about speed, passing, and proximity to pedestrians. 🌳 1) Shared paths not adjacent to a roadway (parks & recreation trails)If you’re riding an e-bike on a shared path that is not adjacent to a roadway, you must:
✅ Why this matters: 🚶 2) Sidewalks and pedestrian-designated areasIf you’re riding an e-bike on a sidewalk or pedestrian-designated area:
✅ Why this matters: ⚠️ Penalty: A violation is treated as a noncriminal traffic infraction (nonmoving violation) with penalty provisions scheduled to take effect July 1, 2026.
📈 Data-driven safety: improved e-bike crash reportingOne of the strongest parts of CS/HB 243 is the data component. The bill requires Florida Highway Patrol and local law enforcement agencies to track e-bike crashes and record:
✅ Why we support this: DHSMV would publish a statewide summary report in October 2026, helping answer questions like:
👥 The Electric Bicycle Safety Task ForceCS/HB 243 also creates a nine-member Electric Bicycle Safety Task Force intended to recommend next steps to reduce incidents, injuries, and fatalities. 🗓️ Timeline highlights:
✅ Why this matters: 🪑 FBA is hoping for a seat on the Task ForceOne important update: FBA is hoping to be selected as part of the Electric Bicycle Safety Task Force. We believe this would make a real difference. Why it matters:
Florida will get better outcomes when people who ride — and organizations focused on safety — have a voice at the table. 🚗🛑 NEWS TO KNOW: Emergency Braking systems could reduce crashes involving people bicyclingHere’s a safety issue that isn’t well-publicized, but it could be a big deal: Many newer vehicles include Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB) - technology designed to detect an imminent collision and apply the brakes if the driver doesn’t respond.
✅ Why we’re watching this closely: What you can do: When shopping for a vehicle (or advising friends/family), ask specifically about AEB and detection performance. These systems are improving, and public awareness helps accelerate adoption and accountability. 🏛️ FBA is active at the federal level, tooFlorida Bicycle Association President Richard Garrett is the Florida state coordinator for Lobby Day in Congress, where advocates meet with Florida’s members of Congress to support bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure projects, sponsored by the League of American Bicyclists. This matters because a lot of the funding that helps build safer crossings, protected bike lanes, and trail connections depends on federal transportation policy. Safer infrastructure is one of the most durable ways to prevent crashes. ✅ What happens nextCS/HB 243 is still moving through the process, and the language may continue to evolve. The Florida Bicycle Association will continue to monitor the bill and advocate for a balanced, practical approach that:
🙌 A simple askIf you care about safer streets and shared paths in Florida, please do one thing this week: 📣 Share this post with one person - a rider, a parent, a local official, or someone who walks on shared paths. And if you believe Florida should be better for people who want to bicycle, and people who need to bicycle, consider supporting FBA:
🔗 Join / Renew: https://floridabicycle.app.neoncrm.com/forms/membership
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