OVIEDO, Fla. – In Oviedo, a group of students recently found themselves facing legal citations after community feedback prompted a focused e-bike safety operation at Jackson Heights Middle School.

According to Lt. Adam Egert in conversation with News 6, officers issued nine citations at the school following months of efforts to educate students on e-bike regulations. The enforcement action last week was a culmination of this educational initiative.

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“Our officers have been actively engaging with students, providing information, having discussions, and even reaching out to parents,” Lt. Egert explained. “Unfortunately, we reached a point where these measures weren’t proving as effective as hoped.”

Earlier this year, the local police department addressed public concerns through an online message, highlighting issues with groups of kids who appeared to be dominating roadways with e-bikes and e-motorcycles, as perceived by some drivers and parents.

Lt. Egert says officers have seen an increase in e-bike riders recently, especially after the holiday season.

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“There’s definitely been an uptick,” said Lt. Egert. “We’ve seen quite a few more on the roadways, sidewalks where pedestrians are.”

The enforcement effort at Jackson Heights Middle School focused on finding e-motorcycles, which can go faster than e-bikes which have a maximum speed of 28 mph depending on the class.

“The officers went out there and focused on the ones that would go really faster up in the 40, 50 mile an hour range,” said Lt. Egert. “Sometimes just looking at the bike or e-bike or motorcycle, you just know whether it’s legal or not. If it has no pedals, it’s not a bicycle, it’s a motorcycle.”

[PREVIOUS COVERAGE: AAA launches safe streets campaign in Florida as e-bike, e-scooter injuries rise]

Lt. Egert said the citations that were given out were all non-moving violations and included $116 fines.

“We get that so many people bought so many over the Christmas holidays and gave it to their kids as presents,” said Lt. Egert. “Just because they’re sold in the store doesn’t necessarily make it legal or street legal.”

Oviedo isn’t the only city adjusting to the increase in e-bike popularity. In September, our News 6 team spoke with Chief Matt Tracht in nearby Winter Springs about the difference between e-bikes and motorcycles.

“A lot of these parents are buying these e-motor bikes that don’t have pedals that will go from 30 up to 70 miles an hour,” said Tracht. “Recently, we stopped a kid in the park that said, ‘Yep, I was just going 37 miles an hour.’”

E-bikes that go over 28 mph and don’t have pedals are legally considered electric motorcycles or E-Motos, according to police. Riders on electric motorcycles are required to have a registration and a license with a motorcycle endorsement.

Oviedo Police have dedicated a webpage to share more information about e-bikes and e-motorcycles, so parents know the difference.

E-bikes:

Electric Bicycle per section 316.003(23), Florida Statutes means:

• 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:

  • (a) “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.

  • (b) “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.

  • (c) “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.

• They are 750 watts or less. You can check the battery or controller for Volts (V) and Amps (A) ratings, then multiply them to get the peak wattage. (V X A = W) The bicycle should have a sticker under the motor with the wattage listed.

• Anyone 16 years old or younger are required by Florida Traffic Laws (F.S.S 316.20655) to wear a helmet. 

• These bikes can be operated on public roads and bike paths/sidewalks.

• Riders are required to yield to pedestrians.

E-motorcycles:

• No Pedals – Throttle only and can be driven at high speeds with a more powerful motor.  It is considered an eMotorcycle if it exceeds 28 MPH.

• They are over 750 Watts.

• Not allowed to be driven on sidewalks in residential, commercial or right-of-way areas.

• They are NOT allowed on city streets without state issued endorsements.  They can only be driven on private property without state-issued endorsement.

• Must be 16 years old or older to operate with a driver’s license, insurance, license plate, and registration. Anyone under 21 years old is legally required to wear a helmet.