ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – They may look like traditional bicycles behind wrapping paper, but law enforcement says electric bikes — or e-bikes — come with rules many parents and riders do not fully understand.
As e-bikes grow in popularity across Central Florida, Orange County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Laith Kareem says deputies are seeing more crashes involving the electric-powered bikes, often tied to speed and confusion over where they can be ridden.
“There are three classifications of e-bikes,” Kareem said, noting they range from pedal-assisted bikes to throttle-assisted models and faster versions capable of reaching up to 28 miles per hour.
[VIDEO: E-bikes pop up more in Central Florida, leading to safety questions]
Kareem said the speed difference can be significant for riders who are used to traditional bicycles.
“Your average bicycle rider can ride a bicycle comfortably at about 14 miles per hour,” Kareem said. “These class three e-bikes can go up to 28 miles per hour — double what a bicycle can do.”
As long as an e-bike stays within its legal classification, it is considered a bicycle under Florida law. That means there is no minimum age requirement to ride one, and riders are subject to bicycle traffic violations rather than criminal charges.
[VIDEO: E-bikes pop up more in Central Florida, leading to safety questions]
Problems arise, Kareem said, when riders exceed those limits.
Many e-bikes are not manufactured with speedometers, making it difficult for riders — especially children — to know how fast they are traveling. Once an e-bike exceeds 28 miles per hour, it can be legally classified as a motorcycle, triggering a different set of traffic laws and penalties.
Violations can vary depending on where a rider is traveling. Rules governing e-bikes differ by county and by city across Central Florida.
[VIDEO: E-bikes pop up more in Central Florida, leading to safety questions]
In Orange County, bicycle violations typically result in fines of about $62.50. Once an e-bike is considered a motor vehicle, penalties can increase significantly, with moving violations ranging from roughly $129 to as much as $454, depending on the offense.
Kareem recommends parents familiarize themselves with an e-bike before allowing their child to ride it, including testing how fast it can go and determining whether it feels safe.
Safety concerns also extend beyond the road. Fire officials warn families to take precautions when charging e-bikes and scooters. Experts recommend using only the manufacturer’s authorized charger, plugging devices directly into wall outlets, charging on non-flammable surfaces, and never charging batteries unattended or overnight.
As long as an e-bike remains classified as a bicycle, riders are generally allowed to ride wherever bicycles are permitted. In Orange County, however, riders are limited to 10 miles per hour when traveling on sidewalks.
Law enforcement officials say understanding the rules before riding is key to keeping a popular holiday gift from becoming a dangerous one.
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