TALLAHASSEE — Florida lawmakers have passed a bill to set new speed rules for e-bikes near pedestrians with a goal to make streets safer.
The bill, called SB 382, passed the Senate on Feb. 25 with no votes against it. The House approved it on March 9.
Now it heads to Gov. Ron DeSantis. If he signs it, the changes start right away.
Under the new rules, e-bike riders must slow to 10 mph when they get within 50 feet of people walking. They also have to yield and make a sound, such as a bell or a voice, before they pass.
The bill sets up a task force on micromobility safety. This group will review crashes and suggest ways to reduce them. Their report is due by Oct. 1, 2026.
Law groups will track e-bike wrecks for a time. They note details such as when it happened, the bike type, the rider’s age, and whether they had a license. This info goes to the state by mid-Oct. 2026.
E-bikes are pedal-powered bikes with a seat and a small electric motor under 750 watts. They come in three classes:
- Class 1 helps only when you pedal and stops at 20 mph.
- Class 2 can go up to 20 mph without pedaling.
- Class 3 helps with pedaling up to 28 mph.
Sales of e-bikes have increased significantly, and so have crashes.
The legislation’s House sponsor, Rep. Yvette Benarroch, R-Naples, said she’s been working on her bill for about a year, after a 14-year-old boy in Naples died riding an electric motorcycle.
Down the road, the task force might call for things like an age limit to ride or a license.
For now, e-bikes follow bike rules. They can use sidewalks unless local spots say no. Kids under 16 must wear helmets.