ORLANDO, Fla. — Florida is considering new e-bike legislation, through House Bill 243 for the 2026 session, which aims to restrict sidewalk riding and potentially set minimum ages. The proposed rules follow safety concerns.
At the local level, several municipalities in Central Florida — including Winter Garden — are trying to regulate their use as well.
What You Need To Know
In an effort to ensure safety, Winter Garden commissioners are discussing an ordinance to regulate the use of e-bikes
The ordinance lays out rules in terms of speed, ages and safety measures for riders of e-bikes
If approved, the city said enforcement of the ordinance would be handled by the Winter Garden Police Department
The meeting was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall. If the first reading of the ordinance is approved, it will go through a second reading and adoption, which is expected on Jan. 8, 2026
Last week, Orange County approved new rules for e-bikes. Now, Winter Garden commissioners are discussing an ordinance aimed at regulating their use.
Dennis Jones, the owner of Winter Garden Wheel Works, said he’s seen an increase in demand for electric bikes in recent years at his popular spot for riders looking to rent or buy a bike.
“Very popular. Obviously, we see them everywhere now, so the demand is definitely going up,” Jones said. “We do sell quite a few e-bikes, but we stay within the limits of what’s allowed.”
Winter Garden commissioners on Thursday held the first reading of an ordinance on the use and regulation of e-bikes.
“People need to know, you know, the rules, the regulations. There’s no enforcement,” Jones said. “There’s young kids, you know, 10, 12, 13 years old, that are riding these uncategorized e-bikes faster than 28 miles an hour. They don’t even know the rules of the road.”
The ordinance states e-bike operators shall not exceed a speed of 10 mph while on any sidewalk or bicycle path that is not immediately adjacent to a roadway.
There’s also a requirement that riders have to yield the right-of-way to any pedestrian and give an audible warning.
“I’ve seen a few going at high speeds, but I’ve seen a few people just cruising with them,” Winter Garden resident Brenton Stowers said. “It’s all based on the person, if they are going to do the right thing or not.”
In terms of speed, Jones said there are different classes of e-bikes depending on how fast they can go.
“The Class 1 is 20 miles an hour. You have to pedal it,” he said. “Class 2 will have a throttle and 20 miles an hour. In Class 3, (they) will go up to 28. But no throttle. You have to pedal it to make it go that fast.”
The ordinance would prohibit the use of Class 3 e-bikes on the paved path of the West Orange Trail.
“You want the right bike in the right place. So, on sidewalks where it’s crowded and there’s a lot of people, these bikes that can go 28 miles an hour probably should not be on a sidewalk,” Jones said.
According to the ordinance, e-bikes shall be operated in accordance with the Florida statute for bicycle regulations and electric bicycle regulations, and when operating on roadways, e-bike operators shall comply with all traffic regulations.
E-bikes operated between sunset and sunrise must be equipped with a lamp on the front, visible from a distance of at least 500 feet, and a lamp and reflector on the rear, each exhibiting a red light visible from a distance of 600 feet to the rear.
All safety lights shall remain active and operational when the e-bike is in use between sunset and sunrise.
“Education is No. 1. We want to make sure everybody’s informed,” Jones said. “We always start everybody very slow on an e-bike because e-bikes are faster. They’re heavier. They take longer to stop.”
According to the ordinance, no one under 15 years old may operate an e-bike, but a minor under the minimum age may ride as a passenger on an e-bike designed and equipped for a passenger. Anyone under 16 years old must wear a helmet when riding an e-bike.
“I think there needs to be responsibility and a little bit of accountability for it,” Stowers said. “If your kids are going to be riding those, there needs to be a course and or maybe a license to have that.”
The ordinance calls for all e-bike operators to carry a government-issued photo ID and present that identification upon lawful request of a law enforcement officer.
If the measure is approved, anyone who violates the rules and regulations could face a civil penalty and a $100 fine.
“I think it will drive home the accountability part, but a fine without a solution doesn’t really solve anything; you need to be able to have a solution for the problem,” Stowers said.
Jones said he supports the ordinance, and he believes it all comes down to enforcement.
“There’s rules and regulations that have to be there. Enforcement is going to be the big issue. Who’s going to enforce this?” he asked.
If approved, the Winter Garden Police Department would handle enforcement, city officials said.
The meeting was scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Thursday at City Hall. If the first reading is approved, it will go through a second reading and adoption, which is expected to be on Jan. 8, 2026.
Comments are closed.