Electric bikes speed toward regulations in Manatee County

By Lesley Dwyer
| 5:00 a.m. May 8, 2025

Two teens stop their electric bikes on White Eagle Boulevard near Eagle Trace.

East County
News

After reading an article published in the East County Observer, in which Lakewood Ranch area residents complained about teenagers on electric bikes driving recklessly and taunting them, District 5 Commissioner Bob McCann took action.

County staff is now in the process of drafting an ordinance to establish regulations when operating electric bikes and scooters on sidewalks, crosswalks and in intersections within the unincorporated portions of Manatee County.

McCann originally sent residents to the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office with their complaints, however, he was told by law enforcement officials that the Sheriff's Office had “no teeth” to meaningfully address the problem.

“So we’ll give him teeth,” McCann said of Sheriff Rick Wells. “It’s time to start enforcing some things.”

McCann provided staff with an outline of what he’s looking for in the ordinance at the May 6 Manatee County Commission meeting. He also provided a copy of the ordinance Collier County approved in April that addresses the same safety concerns.

His fellow commissioners supported McCann’s initiative to update the county’s Code of Ordinances in a unanimous 5-0 vote with commissioners Mike Rahn and Tal Siddique absent.

Manatee County's staff was directed to bring back an ordinance that is “substantially similar” to Collier County’s ordinance.

Collier County's ordinance

The Collier County commission amended its Pedestrian Safety Ordinance April 22 to reflect the following regulations regarding traditional and electric bicycles.

Bicycle riding will be allowed on public sidewalks, but electric bicycles ridden by anyone over the age of 16 must take place in the bicycle lane when available.
Adults operating an electric bicycle when accompanying children under the age of 16 may lawfully operate an electric bicycle on the sidewalk to allow for supervision of the children.
Prohibits the operation of Class 3 electric bicycles by persons under the age of 16 on public roads, bicycle paths, and shared roadways/pathways. (A Class 1 electric bike is pedal assisted and can travel up to 20 mph. A Class 2 can be used without pedaling to reach 20 mph, and a Class 3 reaches 28 mph with pedal assistance)
Anyone operating an electric bicycle on either the sidewalk or in a bicycle lane must stop when approaching a school bus displaying a stop signal and remain stopped until the signal has been withdrawn.
Passing the school bus on the side where children enter and exit while the stop signal is displayed is a violation of the ordinance.
A bicycle traveling in the opposite direction of traffic must come to a complete stop before entering an open intersection and must yield the right-of-way if a vehicle is already in the intersection.
When a bicycle reaches a signalized intersection, the rider must obey the instructions of any applicable pedestrian control signal and must yield the right-of-way of vehicles that are already in the intersection.
On shared pathways adjacent to roads and including those located in parks and recreational areas, all bicycles and electric bicycles must yield the right of way to pedestrians on these types of pathways, and when passing a pedestrian must deliver a warning by some type of sound device before the act of passing them.
Prohibits the operation of an electric bicycle that produces more than 750 watts of power on the sidewalks, bicycle paths, and shared roadways/pathways in Collier County.

McCann proposed additional safety measures, as well.

He wants riders to complete a safety course before operating an electric bike or scooter, along with regular inspections of micro mobility devices to ensure they are equipped with working brakes, lights and reflectors.

McCann's also proposed an age restriction; only riders 16 and older can operate electric bikes and scooters. Collier County's ordinance is more specific; it states a rider must be 16 years old to operate a Class 3 electric bike.

Captain Brad Johnson with the Manatee County Sheriff's Office explained the difference between classes. A Class 1 electric bike is pedal assisted and can travel up to 20 mph. A Class 2 can be used without pedaling to reach 20 mph, and a Class 3 reaches 28 mph with pedal assistance.

Johnson said the state statute doesn't define anything above 28 mph, so an officer has to make contact with the rider to determine if what they're riding falls under the category of an electric bike or a moped.

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Mopeds are typically powered by a motor alone, have foot rests and require registration.

The teenagers spotted by the East County Observer were riding electric dirt bikes, which Johnson said could classify as a moped.

However, the rider would have to be stopped for speeding, and the officer would have to perform an inspection, which would include looking for either pedals or foot rests and how the manufacturer is classifying that specific bike.

While the state statute doesn't address electric bikes that exceed 28 mph, Collier County addressed electric bikes that exceed 750 watts of power. They're banned from sidewalks and shared-use paths.

Sur-Ron is a popular electric dirt bike brand. Its 2025 Light Bee X model boasts 8,000 watts of max power.

Staff members were instructed to bring back the ordinance "as soon as reasonably practical."

author

Lesley Dwyer

Lesley Dwyer is a staff writer for East County and a graduate of the University of South Florida. After earning a bachelor’s degree in professional and technical writing, she freelanced for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. Lesley has lived in the Sarasota area for over 25 years.