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Commission backs proactive e‑bike outreach, asks staff to prepare local options
Summary
Following a recent serious crash, the police chief and commissioners supported mandatory e‑bike education in schools and town‑hall outreach; commissioners also asked staff to explore possible local regulations (helmet requirements, age limits, permits) pending state law.
The City of St. Augustine Beach commission on Dec. 1 heard from the police chief about an e‑bike crash that left a local resident seriously injured and discussed local steps to reduce similar incidents.
The police chief said the city will begin mandatory e‑bike training in schools and offer presentations to homeowners associations and community groups. "Starting the eleventh of this month next week, we're gonna be doing mandatory e‑bike training in all the schools... we'd be happy to do that presentation," the chief said.
Commissioners expressed concern about very young riders, multiple riders on single e‑bikes, lack of helmets, and overall speed and power of Class 3 e‑bikes, which staff said can reach up to 28 miles per hour. Several commissioners urged the city to consider interim local rules such as helmet requirements, age limits or permits while awaiting state legislation expected in 2027. "I think we need to do everything we can, including local regulation of them," one commissioner said, urging staff to draft options for enforcement and education.
The commission asked staff to coordinate with the sheriff's office and neighboring cities, set up a public town hall to solicit community input, and return with recommended regulatory and educational measures.
Next steps: police and staff will begin school outreach, coordinate with county law enforcement, host a town hall, and prepare options for local regulation to present to the commission.
