JACKSONVILLE BEACH, Fla. – Spring break brings crowds, sun and an uptick in people on e-bikes, and that has some visitors and residents urging caution on streets and sidewalks.
Steve Brand, a spring break tourist, said the mix of pedestrians and speeding e-bikes can feel unsafe.
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“Well, I mean, it can get a little bit touch-and-go at times, because they just don’t stop at stop signs. They don’t pay attention to traffic laws, and you have to just kind of have your head on a swivel,” Brand said.
Brand said he has not had a close call personally but has watched other near-misses on the busy shopping strips.
“For people that just are down here on First Street or First Avenue, whichever you call it, and they’re just walking from store to store, and the local e-bikers, and especially the touristy bikers, just kind of go,” Brand said.
Abby Sawyer, a spring break tourist, described a near-miss with a campus e-bike back home and urged riders to pay attention.
“We do have some back at our college, back at home, and I will say I have almost been right over a couple of times. I’m not gonna lie,” Sawyer said.
Local officials are reminding beachgoers about safety rules after Atlantic Beach police posted guidance this week about e-bike enforcement.
The Atlantic Beach social media post reiterated several rules for riders:
- Motorized bikes are not allowed in parks
- Sidewalk speed is limited to 10 mph
- Riders under 16 must wear helmets
- All riders must obey traffic laws
The post follows reports that e-bike injuries and crashes have climbed in recent months and news that a transportation bill regarding regulations for e-bikes (CS/SB 382) passed both the Florida House and Senate and is awaiting Gov. Ron DeSantis’ approval.
Scott Schultz, a Jacksonville resident, said his main worry is for the riders themselves.
“I will say with the e-bikes, honestly, I’m more concerned about the safety for the e-bike riders than for the other people,” Schultz said. “They tend to disregard traffic laws, and operate in places that aren’t designed for them, and that’s why I think they’re the ones that are most at risk.”
Sgt. Tonya Tator of the Jacksonville Beach Police Department encouraged safe riding and said e-bike operators must follow the same traffic laws that apply to bicyclists and motorists.
“We just really encourage parents, as well as the adults out there, to ride those e-bikes responsibly,” Tator said. “They have to follow the same laws as what bicycles do, which are when you’re particularly in the roadway, you have to follow the same traffic law as a vehicle would.”
Police across nearby beach communities said they are watching for safety violations. Officials urged parents and visitors to treat e-bikes with the same caution they would any motorized vehicle and to report reckless operation to local authorities.