Senate approves e‑bike safety bill; creates micromobility task force
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Summary
The Florida Senate passed SB 382 to regulate electric bicycles and create a micro‑mobility device safety task force to collect crash data and make recommendations. The bill passed unanimously on third reading, 37‑0.
Tallahassee — Lawmakers voted to approve a bill intended to improve safety for electric bicycle and other micro‑mobility users on shared pathways. Senator Trudeau, the bill sponsor, said the measure would require riders to yield to pedestrians, provide an audible signal before passing and impose a 10 mph speed ceiling in the presence of nearby pedestrians.
The bill treats violations as noncriminal traffic infractions and requires crash reporting by state and local law enforcement, including data on e‑bike class, operator age and license status. It also creates a micro‑mobility device safety task force composed of representatives from the Florida Sheriffs Association, police chiefs, the electric‑bike industry, League of Cities, Association of Counties, medical professionals with relevant clinical experience and injury‑prevention organizations. The task force must convene within 30 days of the act’s effective date, meet monthly in designated regions, and sunset on Oct. 1, 2026.
An amendment by Trudeau broadened the task force’s scope to include e‑scooters and other devices; Leader Berman asked whether personal delivery devices would be encompassed, and Trudeau said devices fitting the description of e‑mobility would be included.
The amendment was adopted and the bill was read a third time. The secretary recorded the vote as 37 yays, 0 nays.
Supporters framed the measure as a data‑driven approach to reduce crashes and improve enforcement; the task force is intended to produce a summary report to the Department of Highway Safety by Oct. 31, 2026.