Florida Lawmakers Seek to Curb E-Bike Crashes with New Regulations

HB 243 is meant to improve safety by cracking down on dangerous, modified e-bikes

Electric bikes and scooters have exploded in popularity across Florida. You might see them zipping through downtown streets and along beachside trails like a new wave of freedom on two wheels. But as more of these battery-powered rides hit the road, the risk of scooter accidents increases.

Lawmakers say the rules of the road need to catch up. A new proposal in Tallahassee seeks to rein in high-speed and modified e-bikes. This can bring them closer in line with traditional motorcycles in terms of licensing and safety.

Under House Bill 243, any e-bike that travels faster than 28 miles per hour or is powered by a motor larger than 750 watts would no longer be considered a bicycle. Instead, it would be classified as an “electric motorcycle.” That shift brings big changes.

Riders of these faster models would be required to register their bikes, carry a valid driver’s license, and stay off sidewalks and bike lanes. In other words, if your e-bike rides like a motorcycle, the law will treat it like one.

Lawmakers say the goal isn’t to punish responsible riders, but to set safety boundaries. As more powerful models hit the market (some capable of speeds well over 40 mph), concerns have grown about how they fit into existing traffic laws.

What is the problem with modified e-bikes?

One of the bill's biggest targets is riders modifying their e-bikes to go faster than manufacturers intended.

“Just like cars, you can put new engines in and do some upgrades — the same thing with these e-bikes,” said Lt. Jason Levey with the St. Petersburg Police Department’s traffic section. “People that know what they’re doing, whether you look at a YouTube video or something, they can increase the speed, which makes them now illegal. And again, they’re treated as motorcycles — so they need to be registered, you have to have a license, can’t ride on a sidewalk, can’t ride in a bike lane.”

Police say the modifications make enforcement difficult and increase the risk of serious crashes. A bike designed for 20 or 25 mph may not be stable or safe at nearly double that speed. Riders often don’t realize how easily their “upgrades” can cross the legal line.

How can tracking crashes improve safety?

Beyond new licensing rules, the bill would also require the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) to create a statewide crash database to track incidents involving e-bikes, scooters, and electric motorcycles.

Right now, crash reports don’t consistently distinguish electric vehicles from traditional bikes or cars, making it hard to identify patterns or problem areas. Under the proposed law, officers would need to specify when these vehicles are involved and file long-form crash reports.

Supporters say that better data will lead to better solutions, which could help the state understand where and why these crashes are happening and how to prevent them.

How is this new bill being received by local police?

Police departments such as the St. Petersburg PD are welcoming the proposal after seeing a troubling rise in serious crashes. Officers there reported three e-bike-related deaths in just one month, all tied to rider error.

Lt. Levey said his department has watched e-bike use soar over the past year. It's not just among commuters but also among teenagers and delivery riders. “It’s a great tool, but people are treating them like toys,” he said. “They’re not toys. They can go fast, and they can kill you.”

The department already enforces speed and safety violations for e-bikes. Still, the proposed law would give officers clearer authority to distinguish between bicycles and what are essentially motorcycles in disguise.

When could these rules take effect?

The bill will likely come up for discussion during the 2026 legislative session, which begins in January. If passed, the new regulations (including registration, licensing, and crash reporting) could take effect as early as 2027.

For now, riders don’t need to make any changes, but lawmakers are encouraging Floridians to stay informed. The proposal could reshape the use of e-bikes and scooters on roads, sidewalks, and trails across the state.

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