In a significant move to enhance public safety on local streets, the Vero Beach City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday to implement stricter regulations for electric bicycle operators. The new ordinance, which goes into effect immediately, specifically targets the use of Class 3 e-bikes, citing a need to curb accident rates and protect young riders along busy corridors like Ocean Drive.
New Age Requirements for E-Bikes
The primary component of the new local law is the establishment of a minimum age requirement. While current Florida state statutes do not set a specific minimum age for riding Class 3 e-bikes—which are capable of reaching speeds up to 28 miles per hour—local governments retain the authority to set their own standards.
Under the new Vero Beach ordinance, riders of Class 3 e-bikes must now be at least **16 years old**.
This decision follows a troubling trend in road safety. Last year, five e-bike crashes resulted in three fatalities across the Treasure Coast and Palm Beach County. Local medical professionals and residents have expressed growing concern regarding teenagers riding carelessly and without helmets.
“You need a driver’s license to operate a motorcycle. Now, these aren’t motorcycles, but… these are still machines that can go pretty fast. At least putting an age restriction on that would be, I think, really wise,” stated local resident Robert Swaboda regarding the council’s decision.
Rules of the Road
Beyond the age restriction, the City Council has codified specific traffic rules for e-bike operators to ensure harmony between cyclists, motorists, and pedestrians. The new ordinance mandates that e-bike riders must adhere to the following regulations:
- Mandatory Bike Lane Usage: Riders are required to use designated bike lanes and must travel with the flow of traffic.
- Sidewalk Prohibition: To ensure pedestrian safety, it is now against the law to ride e-bikes on sidewalks.
- Yielding Protocols: Riders must yield to pedestrians at all times.
- School Bus Safety: E-bike operators must come to a complete stop for school buses that have their stop signs extended.
Mayor John Cotugno emphasized that the city created the new law with the specific intent of preventing future tragedies. The community reaction has been largely positive, with residents noting that while teenagers may naturally test boundaries, these regulations provide necessary guidelines for operating high-speed equipment on public roads.
The ordinance is effective immediately, meaning enforcement of the 16-year-old age limit and lane restrictions applies to all riders in Vero Beach starting now.
