Jupiter officials outline stepped-up enforcement, education after child’s death at e-bike town hall

Jupiter officials and public-safety partners held a town hall on e‑bike safety where police outlined new enforcement and education steps after the recent death of a 12‑year‑old student, Rico Rountree.

The meeting drew town officials, school principals, health-care and emergency responders, bike‑shop owners and dozens of residents. Jupiter Police Chief Michael Barbera said the department will expand its education campaign and follow an enforcement directive under which every e‑bike traffic stop will result in a written warning or citation, parents will be contacted for juvenile stops, and unregistered high‑power “e‑motos” will be towed at the owner’s expense.

The chief framed the approach as threefold: “prevention, enforcement and diversion,” and urged parents to “know before you buy or ride,” stressing helmet use and that e‑bikes operated on roadways must obey traffic laws. “If you buy an e bike, leave it alone,” Barbera told the audience, warning against battery or wiring modifications that increase speed or power. He added that police will begin issuing written warnings that create a record and can escalate to citations for repeat or egregious behavior.

Why it matters: local officials and medical staff described rising crashes and serious injuries. Robert Borrego, medical director at Saint Mary’s Medical Center, said e‑bike accidents are growing nationwide and that severe cases often require intensive care and surgery. “E bike accidents are soaring throughout the entire United States,” he said, and described patterns of traumatic brain, spinal and internal injuries seen at his trauma center.

Discussion and community proposals: Residents pressed for clearer distinctions between e‑bikes and higher‑powered e‑motos, for school‑based training and for local ordinances. Adam Paulson, a Heights resident, criticized enforcement consistency: “But if the officers are unwilling or unable to enforce the laws, they might as well not have them,” he said, recounting repeated neighborhood incidents and what he described as slow follow‑up. Several speakers urged stronger parental accountability and more bicycle infrastructure; Tom Willets suggested widening sidewalks or creating separated bike lanes to give riders a safer place off fast roads.

Policy and legal context: Speakers cited Florida traffic statutes in discussing enforcement; one resident referenced “316206” and the e‑bike addition “200655” as places to review. Chief Barbera and other officials repeatedly differentiated legal e‑bikes—pedal‑assist models that fall under bicycle law and may require helmets for riders under 16—from illegal e‑motos that operate like motor vehicles, cannot be registered (no VIN) and are subject to towing if ridden on streets or sidewalks.

Education and follow‑up: Town staff and the school district described next steps. Vice Mayor Melise Sundstrom said the town would partner with schools and community groups and encouraged resident reports with direction and descriptions so police can respond. Palm Beach County School Board representative Matt Lane said the board was preparing messaging for students and parents and reviewing school policies. The police department promoted existing education efforts (social media, school visits) and promised more outreach: a free helmet program (officers issue a ticket redeemable for a helmet), an upcoming bike rodeo for helmet fitting and safety training, and a Transportation Planning Agency event on April 5 at the REI in Palm Beach Gardens.

Closing: Officials said the town hall was the start of ongoing work. Chief Barbera reiterated the three‑part approach and asked residents to report unsafe behavior with detailed descriptions and travel direction. “This is the beginning of” continued community action, Vice Mayor Melise Sundstrom said, adding that local and state officials are watching and that the town will consider ordinances or other local steps where appropriate.