Edgewater community expresses concerns about e-bikes
The Brief
Several people in Edgewater are raising concerns about the potential dangers of e-bikes being on sidewalks and roadways.
Florida statute says e-bikes can be wherever regular bicycles are.
E-bikers are not supposed to go over 28 miles per hour in Florida, but some have the capacity to go faster than that.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Several people in Edgewater are raising concerns about the potential dangers of e-bikes being on sidewalks and roadways.
What they're saying
There are differing opinions on who should drive e-bikes and where.
"If you're gonna be on the street, then you should be licensed to be on the street," said Hayden Sias. "My son wanted an e-bike that goes 35. And he's 12. He has no business being on the road. And the sidewalks – they're just not big enough for that kind of a vehicle."
Douglas Henry doesn't think sidewalks are a good option either.
"If the vehicle or scooter has a motor, then it shouldn't be on the sidewalk in general," he said.
The other side
Not everyone shares this view.
"If you don't want to see kids riding bikes, move to a 65 and up community," said Whittney Haynes. "It's summertime, kids just got out of school. Let them have fun."
What's next
The City of Cocoa Beach is considering toughening regulations on e-bikes. Edgewater District 4 Councilmember Eric Rainbird suggests the City Council discuss the possibility of doing the same.
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The Source
FOX 35 News Reporter Marie Edinger talked with people in New Smyrna and Edgewater who had varying opinions on e-bikes. She went to a park where a Facebook poster complained e-bikers put passersby in danger, and did see multiple children on e-bikes and e-scooters heading down sidewalks at high rates of speed. Edinger reviewed Florida statute regarding e-bikes, as well as several studies on bike speed published in the National Library of Medicine. She talked with Edgewater's District 4 Councilmember about the potential dangers of e-bikes. She called Orlando Health Hospital, HCA Sanford, and Halifax Regional Medical Center, along with the Volusia County Sheriff's Office to see if complaints and accidents involving e-bikes are on the rise.
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