Electric bikes and scooters have blown up in their popularity over the last 10 years. In Miami Springs, you see them being used for fun as well as for daily transportation. You can see them being used on our public roadways as well as our pedestrian pathways.
Recently, the Florida legislature has submitted a bill to Governor Ron DeSantis aimed to protect pedestrians from getting hit by a high speed and relatively quiet electric bike. The new Florida E-Bike Law establishes a number of new rules:
- The 10 MPH Speed Limit: If you are riding on a sidewalk or a shared pedestrian path, you are now legally required to drop your speed to 10 mph or less whenever a pedestrian is within 50 feet.
- Mandatory Yield & Signal: Before passing a walker or jogger, you must yield the right-of-way and provide a clear, audible warning—such as ringing a bell or offering a polite, verbal heads-up.
- A person who fails to comply with this subsection commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation.
We think this is a good, common-sense rule to protect pedestrians.
E-Bike Interactions
I have my own observations, but I’d like to get your perspective. Do you run into more E-Bikes as a pedestrian or as a driver on our public roads?
Where do you see more abuse from E-Bike riders? Near pedestrians on sidewalks and pedestrian paths or on the public roads?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below or via social media.
Personally, I’d like to see more lighting from E-Bikes and E-Scooters. While many E-Bikes have great headlights and tail lights. There are many that I see being used during early morning pre-dawn hours and evening hours that lack adequate lighting.
On that same note, I see a lot of traditional pedal bikes being used in Miami Springs without adequate lighting during night hours. Folks, let’s use a little common sense and make sure your bike is properly lit if you’re using it in the dark.
