This story was updated at 9 p.m. on Friday, June 5
MANATEE COUNTY – A 13-year-old boy riding an e-bike was struck by a vehicle late Friday morning on Manatee Avenue. The driver of the SUV involved in the accident was not at fault, according to the Bradenton Police Department.
West Manatee Fire Rescue was among the agencies that responded to the accident scene.
At 12:02 p.m., WMFR Fire Marshal Rodney Kwiatkowski provided the following information: “West Manatee Fire Rescue is on the scene of a motor vehicle crash involving an automobile and an electric bicycle near the area of Flamingo Drive and 107th Court West. Initial reports indicate a male juvenile, approximately 13 years old, was struck while riding an e-bike. The patient reportedly sustained a possible head injury after impacting the vehicle’s windshield and was not wearing a helmet at the time of the collision.”
“Due to the nature of the injuries, a medical helicopter was requested to expedite transport to a trauma center for advanced medical care. WMFR, Manatee County EMS and law enforcement personnel are working together to secure the scene and provide patient care. Eastbound traffic in the area was temporarily shut down during emergency operations. He was in stable condition at transfer. The patient’s current condition has not been released,” Kwiatkowski stated.
Kwiatkowski confirmed that a medical transport helicopter landed behind King Middle School on 75th Street N.W. and the injured boy was airlifted to All Children’s Hospital in St. Petersburg.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
At 4:18 p.m. on Friday, Bradenton Police Department Public Information Manager Meredith Censullo provided the following information via email: “The Bradenton Police Department is the investigating agency and our Traffic Unit responded to the crash scene. The crash occurred on Manatee Avenue West, just west of Flamingo Drive. BPD was notified of the crash through the Emergency Communications Center (ECC) at 11:07 a.m. ECC had already dispatched EMS, and EMS was on scene.
“The crash involved an SUV and a juvenile, 13, who was riding an e-bike. The e-bike and vehicle were traveling in the same direction. The e-bike swerved into the lane of traffic and the SUV driver was not able to avoid the collision. The driver of the SUV is not at fault in the crash,” Censullo stated.
“The 13-year-old was not wearing a helmet and sustained a head injury. The juvenile was transported, via medical helicopter, to All Children’s Hospital. At the time of transport, the juvenile was in stable condition and remains hospitalized,” she wrote.
“The Holmes Beach Police Department assisted with traffic control for drivers leaving Anna Maria. All lanes of traffic reopened around 12:20 p.m.,” Censullo stated.
Censullo did not provide the names of the individuals involved in the accident. She said the final Traffic Unit report will not be available for approximately 10 days.
Regarding e-bike safety measures, Kwiatkowski said, “West Manatee Fire Rescue reminds all bicyclists and e-bike riders to wear a properly fitted helmet every time they ride. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries and can save lives.”
E-BIKE REGULATIONS
Regarding e-bike safety measures, Kwiatkowski said, “West Manatee Fire Rescue reminds all bicyclists and e-bike riders to wear a properly fitted helmet every time they ride. Helmets significantly reduce the risk of serious head injuries and can save lives.”
According to 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. An electric bicycle is a vehicle to the same extent as a bicycle.”
According to Florida Statutes, “A bicycle rider or passenger who is under 16 years of age must wear a bicycle helmet that is properly fitted and is fastened securely upon the passenger’s head by a strap and that meets the federal safety standard for bicycle helmets. The term ‘passenger’ includes a child who is riding in a trailer or semitrailer attached to a bicycle.”
Section 316.003 (23) of Florida Statutes classifies electric bicycles into three classes and says, “A bicycle or tricycle equipped with fully operable pedals, a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and an electric motor of less than 750 watts which meets the requirements of one of the following three classifications:
“Class 1 electric bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
“Class 2 electric bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the electric bicycle and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.
“Class 3 electric bicycle means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.”
E-MOTORCYCLES
Two-wheeled electric vehicles with more than 750 watts of power are not considered e-bikes.
In May 2025, Holmes Beach Police Chief Bill Tokajer discussed e-bike concerns and regulations with the mayor and city commissioners. Around that same time, the Holmes Beach Police Department posted a message at the department’s Facebook page that said: “Not all e-bikes are created equal. If it has a throttle, can’t be pedaled manually or exceeds certain speeds, it may be classified as an electric motorcycle. If your e-bike doesn’t fit these classes, it’s likely a motor vehicle and you must follow all motor vehicle rules.”
