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Palm Coast council approves e-bike ordinance after debate over age limits
Summary
The Palm Coast City Council on Oct. 7 approved a new ordinance regulating electric bicycles and electric-powered cycles (e-bikes), 4-1. The measure changes local rules about e-bike classes, speed and equipment and gives the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office enforcement authority; council declined to adopt a minimum age requirement.
The Palm Coast City Council voted 4-1 on Oct. 7 to adopt an ordinance creating a new local rule for bicycles and electric power cycles that defines e-bike classes, equipment limits and operating conditions and gives local law enforcement authority to enforce the rules.
Council members said the ordinance is intended to address a small but visible set of reckless riders and modified off-road e-bikes that have caused safety concerns in the city. The final vote removed a proposed minimum age restriction from the ordinance after extended debate about parental authority and available accident data.
The new ordinance creates a locally enforceable section of the city code governing the operation of pedal‑assist and throttle‑assist electric bicycles, clarifies the city’s class 1–3 distinctions, and adds a throttle‑assisted class aligned with the council’s edits. It also includes a provision to slow e‑bike speeds to pedestrian pace in school zones during posted school hours and requires compliance with equipment and helmet…
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