Palm Coast council approves e-bike ordinance after debate over age limits

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 rules the council adopted.

Acting City Manager Britney Johnston and staff presented the ordinance as the product of prior council direction and redlines made after earlier meetings. Several council members sought small adjustments: Vice Mayor Pontieri asked staff to add a throttle‑assisted option for the Class 3 definition and Commissioner Dantz submitted a list of edits the council accepted in part.

Council discussion focused on safety and enforcement. Vice Mayor Pontieri argued against a city age minimum and said that parents should retain the primary decision about whether a child may ride an e‑bike. Pontieri noted that Florida did not adopt a statewide age restriction and added that the available accident sample was small and statistically skewed. In contrast, Council member Gambaro said he favored an age threshold to reduce risks to children and older riders.

Flagler County Sheriff’s Office representatives told the council they support the ordinance and said the office will enforce it. "We will support it," said Commander Wilbur, addressing concerns about practical enforcement in the community.

Commissioner Dantz, who had circulated recommended edits, addressed the council during the public comment period and thanked council members for considering his changes. "I appreciate that you guys are seriously considering some of my edits," he said, noting he rides an e‑bike frequently and had suggested clarifications for school zones and crosswalk approaches.

Motion and vote

The motion adopted the ordinance as presented with Commissioner Dantz’s edits except for the proposed age requirement; it also added the vice mayor’s wording for throttle‑assist classification. Council member Gambaro moved approval; Council member Sullivan seconded. Vice Mayor Pontieri cast the lone no vote. The roll call was: Vice Mayor Pontieri — No; Council member Gambaro — Yes; Council member Miller — Yes; Council member Sullivan — Yes; Mayor Michael Norris — Yes. The motion passed 4–1.

What the ordinance does and what happens next

The ordinance establishes local operating rules (speed/behavior, school‑zone pedestrian speeds, equipment requirements and a defined classification that includes a throttle for the higher‑speed class). It does not create new criminal offenses; enforcement will be through existing local traffic and code enforcement channels. Several council members and law‑enforcement speakers said the council can revisit the age question in the future if crash data or regional policy change.

The ordinance will be codified and published; council members said staff will coordinate with the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office on enforcement procedures and public outreach to explain the new rules.

Ending

Council members who opposed the age restriction said they would seek data and possibly revisit targeted changes later; others said they supported the requirement as a public‑safety precaution. The adopted ordinance aims to give local law enforcement clearer grounds to address reckless e‑bike use while aligning definitions with regional standards and adding school‑zone protections.