Updated: 3/20/25 at 10:49 a.m.
HOLMES BEACH – When discussing development-related transportation requirements during the March 13 city commission work session, Commissioner Dan Diggins asked if electric bikes are treated as bicycles or low speed vehicles.
Director of Development Chad Minor, City Attorney Erica Augello and Police Chief Bill Tokajer simultaneously said e-bikes are treated the same as bicycles and Augello said e-bikes are specifically defined in state law. According to the Florida Statutes, “An electric bicycle or an operator of an electric bicycle shall be afforded all the rights and privileges, and be subject to all of the duties, of a bicycle or the operator of a bicycle.”
State law allows cities to regulate e-bikes: “An electric bicycle is a vehicle to the same extent as a bicycle. However, this section may not be construed to prevent a local government from adopting an ordinance governing the operation of electric bicycles on streets, highways, sidewalks and sidewalk areas under the local government’s jurisdiction; or to prevent a municipality, county or agency of the state from restricting or prohibiting the operation of an electric bicycle on a bicycle path, multi-use path or trail network; or to prevent a municipality, county or agency of the state having jurisdiction over a beach or a dune from restricting or prohibiting the operation of an electric bicycle on such beach or dune.”
State law also provides: “An electric bicycle or an operator of an electric bicycle is not subject to the provisions of law relating to financial responsibility, driver or motor vehicle licenses, vehicle registration, title certificates, off-highway motorcycles or off-highway vehicles.”
Augello said there’s no minimum age limit for e-bike riders.
Tokajer added, “For a low-speed vehicle, you have to be a licensed driver. For a golf cart you have to be 16.”
When asked where e-bikes are supposed to travel, Tokajer said they are allowed to travel on the road, in bike lanes and on sidewalks as long as they yield to pedestrians who have the right of way. Tokajer later contacted The Sun and clarified that state law allows e-bikes on sidewalks but city ordinance prohibits riding e-bikes on Holmes Beach sidewalks.
“We have so many e-bikes that don’t even look like a bicycle anymore. They’re like little motorcycles. They have to follow the rules of the road. They have to stop at signs. They have to stop at red lights. They have to stop for crosswalks,” Tokajer said.
He then noted an e-biker recently struck a car in Holmes Beach. Tokajer previously told The Sun that the e-biker failed to stop and was at fault for the accident that resulted in the e-biker suffering minor injuries.
Tokajer said e-bikes are not subject to the licensing requirements applicable to low-speed vehicles.
“There’s no license, there’s no permit needed and you’re going as fast a motorcycle. You don’t need a motorcycle license and you don’t need a helmet unless you’re underage. I think it’s 16 and under you have to wear a helmet. And no insurance; that’s up to you,” Tokajer said.
“What could go wrong?” Diggins quipped.
