Palm Coast City Council on Tuesday, Sept. 16, approved on first reading an ordinance amending Chapter 42 of the city code to add rules for bicycles and electric-powered cycles, set a minimum public-use age of 11 for certain e-bikes and add examples of unsafe operation; the vote was 4-1.

The measure, introduced by City Attorney Marcus Duffy and discussed at length by council members and members of the public, defines “electric off‑road powered cycles” as vehicles not intended for public roadways or sidewalks and therefore prohibited from operating on them. It also removes a specific low speed cap from the ordinance and replaces it with a prohibition on operating an e‑bike “in an unsafe and reckless manner,” and it includes a power limit tied to enforcement: operation of an e‑bike that produces more than 750 watts is prohibited in the city’s public rights of way.

Duffy said he redlined changes after earlier council direction and that the ordinance was intended to align with the state statute’s classifications for e‑bikes while addressing local public‑safety concerns. “These vehicles are best understood as off‑highway motorcycles … and they are powered by an electric engine, which was not designed for or authorized to operate on the roadways,” he said.

Council discussion focused on enforceability and on how to protect younger riders without unduly limiting parental authority. Council member Miller said he did not support a wholesale ban on children owning e‑bikes but moved the council to approve the ordinance’s first reading with a minimum public‑use age of 11 and to incorporate technical recommendations submitted by Commissioner Dance; Council member Gamarro seconded. Vice Mayor Panieri voted no; Council members Gamarro, Miller, Sullivan and Mayor Norris voted yes. The motion passed 4‑1.

Key provisions discussed and incorporated for the second reading: a) clarification that the city — not the county — is the jurisdiction for the sidewalk and path rules; b) a prohibition of electric off‑road powered cycles on public sidewalks, bike lanes and roadways; c) a rule that operation “in an unsafe and reckless manner” is unlawful, with examples to be added (failure to yield, failure to slow when passing pedestrians, failing to give an audible signal when passing); d) a power cutoff so bikes that produce more than 750 watts of power are not permitted to operate in the city’s public right‑of‑way; e) language to prohibit use of bicycles that have had pedals removed or have been modified beyond the classification tiers referenced in state law; and f) technical edits requested by council to use the term “electric” rather than “electronic” and to add manufacturer labeling requirements consistent with state statute.

Multiple members of the public urged the council to address age, passenger rules and reckless operation. Resident Chantal Prelinger told the council that peer pressure and passenger carrying were common dangerous behaviors she’s observed: “I’ve seen recently two kids on an e‑bike and one on the front, one on the back … this is a recipe for a disaster,” she said. Other commenters suggested the council rely on manufacturer recommendations and Sheriff’s Office crash data to calibrate age and enforcement rules.

Council members and staff asked the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office for data on e‑bike crashes and ages of involved riders; the sheriff had previously been asked to provide information for the council. City Attorney Marcus Duffy and council members said they would add clearer enumerated examples of “unsafe operation” to reduce vagueness and to assist enforcement discretion by deputies.

The council set a second reading for the first business meeting in October, directing staff to prepare a redlined draft that incorporates the technical edits and the added examples of unsafe operation that council members requested. The first‑reading motion (approve first reading of the ordinance amending Chapter 42 regarding bicycles and electric‑powered cycles with a minimum public‑use age of 11 and the technical recommendations from Commissioner Dance) was moved by Council member Miller and seconded by Council member Gamarro; vote: Gamarro yes, Miller yes, Sullivan yes, Mayor Norris yes, Vice Mayor Panieri no (4‑1).