JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Jacksonville is closer to implementing e-bike regulations after an e-bike bill cleared its first two of three committee stops Monday.
The progress comes as e-bike accidents and injuries continue to rise in our region.
After some changes, including the removal of a minimum age limit to ride e-bikes, the current plan would set speed limits of 15 miles per hour on sidewalks and shared pathways.
The speed limit would not apply on roadways.
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The bill would also authorize the city to post speed limit signage for e-bikes.
To keep signage costs low, bill sponsor Councilmember Michael Boylan (R-District 6) explained only a few dozen signs would need to be posted along the main roadways leading into the county.
“To me this is a starting point in this bill,” said Boylan.
But JSO Undersheriff Shawn Coarsey noted that without speed limit signs throughout the county, the ordinance would be virtually unenforceable.
“It would be difficult to go in front of a court and defend writing someone a citation for speeding on an e-bike if there is no signage there indicating what that speed is,” said Coarsey.
Councilmember Tyrona Clark-Murray (D-District 9) argued the bill provides other opportunities for riders to get educated on the new rules of the road.
For example, it requires e-bike retailers to make a good faith effort to inform customers where they can learn about local regulations and e-bike safety.
“I think the expectation of the city and of our constituents is that we start somewhere, because this is a problem. I think they’re tired of us operating from once a child is killed position,” said Clark-Murray.
Boylan also suggested local neighborhoods and HOAs might be interested in posting their own speed limit signs.
“It’s not a perfect bill, but it allows you and I, and all of our colleagues for that matter, to say we’re doing something about this,” said Boylan.
The bill has one more committee stop set for Tuesday morning before it will be ready for a final vote by the full council.
If passed, the speed limits would kick in immediately, and the retailer education piece would take effect on December 1st, just ahead of the Christmas holiday.
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