ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando police officers have had more than 800 encounters with e-mobility devices since the beginning of 2026, Orlando Police Department Chief Eric Smith revealed at a city workshop Monday.
Smith and the city’s transportation department director spoke in front Orlando city commissioners, as they weigh whether to adopt an ordinance that would regulate the use of e-bikes and e-scooters.
“Most of the incidents that we’re having, the e-bikes are found to have been at fault,” Smith said.
The chief said the 813 interactions with e-mobility devices since Jan. 1, 2026, include 46 crashes with injuries and 12 hit-and-runs involving a minor.
“These kids just don’t care,” Orlando commissioner Patty Sheehan said. “They’re in packs and once they get in that pack mentality, it seems like they’re just out for trouble.”
Sheehan appeared to favor one of the suggestions for a possible ordinance: implementing a sidewalk ban for e-bikes.
“Very easy to enforce and understand,” Michael Filteau, assistant city attorney for Orlando, said of a potential sidewalk ban.
Filteau advised commissioners to avoid adopting regulations that would be difficult to enforce, such as different restrictions on different e-bike classes or age restrictions.
Commissioner Shan Rose said city leaders need to do a better job at reaching young people when talking about e-bikes and e-scooters.
“I think we need to do a full education campaign,” Rose suggested.
By the end of the workshop, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer suggested commissioners wait and see how Orange County students adapt to the school district’s new rules pertaining to e-mobility devices, before adopting any ordinance.