Flagler County sheriff previews proposed e-bike ordinance after high-speed chases and complaints

Sheriff Rick Staly told the city council on July 22 that the Flagler County Sheriff’s Office is drafting a local ordinance to address reckless electric-bicycle (e-bike) behavior after recent incidents, including a high-speed chase that ended in arrests. “Florida law changed 2 years ago that changed e bikes from a motor vehicle to a bicycle,” Staly said, and he told the council that the statutory change includes limits on classification, speed limiters and helmet rules for riders under age 16. Staly said the reclassification has led to what he called “unintended consequences” with a small number of riders modifying bikes to higher speeds and using them on sidewalks and walking paths. Staly showed video taken by a news outlet of two teens riding e-bikes and said deputies later arrested one of the riders for eluding law enforcement. He described draft ordinance elements under review: helmet requirements, prohibitions on reckless riding, and the authority to impound bikes that exceed limits or are modified. Why it matters: City and county public-safety officials said e-bike incidents are contributing to traffic safety concerns, startling pedestrians and creating collisions risk on mixed-use paths. Council and public comments: Residents and council members voiced the need to balance safety with access for older or disabled riders who use e-bikes for mobility. An e-bike rider who addressed the council asked lawmakers to avoid broadly restricting legal e-bikes and to use data — miles ridden and incident rates — to guide any rules. The sheriff said his ordinance would allow legitimate use and exempt properly equipped e-bikes used by deputies and disabled residents. Next steps: Staly said the sheriff’s general counsel has drafted a preliminary ordinance and that the county will coordinate with the city before a formal proposal appears on a council agenda. No formal vote occurred at the workshop.