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You’re huffing and puffing up a steep overpass on the Pinellas Trail when a cyclist cruises past you with barely any effort, pedaling at a leisurely rate but still beating you without breaking a sweat. Welcome to the world of the electric bike, or e-bike, a relatively new mode of transportation that’s been stirring up some big feelings on all sides. Maybe you’ve been startled by kids racing their friends on the sidewalk and think e-bikes are a menace. Or you might have seen a guy in a suit commuting to work on an e-bike and wonder if that cheaper, more environmentally friendly mode of transportation could be a good option for you.
You might love them, you might hate them, but the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) wants to make sure you understand the laws concerning e-bikes, motorized scooters, hoverboards, and all the new ways that people can zip around town. Recently, Community Policing Officers Deputy Renee Pappamihiel and Deputy Joseph Brooks were out on the Pinellas Trail helping to educate people about e-bikes.
An e-bike uses an electric motor to assist in propelling the bike. In some e-bikes the motor only engages during pedaling, but others incorporate a throttle that will power the bike even without pedaling, making the e-bike more like a moped. Some e-bikes are set by their manufacturer to have a maximum speed of 20 mph, while others have a maximum speed of 28 mph. If the e-bike is capable of going more than 28 mph that makes it a motor vehicle – which means it has to be registered, insured, and the operator needs to have a license.
Besides the top speed of 28 mph, to classify as an e-bike the motor can’t be more than 750 watts, and there have to be functional pedals. “If it doesn’t have pedals, it is considered an unregistered motor vehicle,” said Deputy Pappamihiel.
E-bikes are legally the same as regular bicycles. They have the same rights – they can be on the same sidewalks, trails, and roads where a bike can go – and they have the same rules. There is no age limit for e-bikes, but just like with regular bikes, operators under 16 must wear a helmet.
Other micro-mobility devices follow virtually the same rules. Motorized scooters and hoverboards don’t have to be registered and the operator doesn’t need a license. There seem to be new kinds of electric vehicles popping up every day – electric unicycles, anyone? – and it can take a while for regulations to catch up with technology. But in general, vehicles with a top speed of less than 20 mph will follow the same rules as bicycles.
When Brooks and Pappamihiel were out, they talked with a lot of trail users, and their opinions ran the gamut. Some said that every time they used the Trail they were alarmed by speeding e-bikes. Others said they were on the Trail every day and never had a problem with e-bikes. One e-bike user said he wouldn’t be able to use a bike at all if it didn’t have pedal-assist. He wants exercise, but doesn’t have the strength to get up the overpasses without help from the motor.
Another e-bike user set his top speed at 10 mph for safety. On the Trail, the speed limit is 20 mph. Anything faster than that – whether e-bike, scooter, hoverboard, or even conventional bike – is breaking Trail rules. For reference, a recreational bicyclist usually travels at 10-12 mph, while a competitive cyclist can reach speeds of more than 20 mph.
Of the citizens who had complaints about e-bikes, most of them said it is kids who worry them the most. Parents might buy bikes for young riders that are simply too fast for their abilities, and that can lead to accidents. “These kids are out here to have fun, but a lot of the parents just don’t know if they are going too fast, or not wearing a helmet,” said Deputy Pappamihiel. “The parents are thinking, at least my kids aren’t sitting in front of the TV. They’re out with their friends, they’re not causing problems.” Objectively, that’s a good thing, but both kids and parents need to know and follow safety rules and common sense regarding e-bikes. When Deputy Pappamihiel finds a kid riding an electric dirt bike or not wearing a helmet, she contacts a parent to come pick them up.
Parents might also mistakenly believe that if it is for sale it must be safe, and if it is marketed to kids it must be appropriate for their age and abilities. But not all e-bikes are suited to their kids’ age, size, or skill level… and not all of them are legal.
Electric dirt bikes, like the Surron, Altis, and Stark Varg, are superficially similar to e-bikes, but they don’t have functional pedals and can be much more powerful than e-bikes. They are not street legal, and can’t be ridden on roads, sidewalks, or public trails. They are only legal on private property. Parents who buy their kid an electric dirt bike are giving them a motor vehicle that might reach speeds of 70 mph. Other than on private property, there is no legal place for anyone of any age to ride an electric dirt bike.
Even if the e-bikes start out legal, there are ways to modify them to increase their speed and power. “These kids are more tech savvy than us, or than their parents – they learn fast how to modify their e-bikes,” said Deputy Pappamihiel. They might adjust the controller settings, install a speed limiter removal device that bypasses the safeties, or change the battery settings. “They find it online or their friends show them. Then all of a sudden they’re riding what is legally an unregistered motor vehicle. The parents say oh no, it’s regulated so it can only go so fast. I tell them, that’s what you think!”
Are e-bikes actually a problem on the Pinellas Trail? Deputy Brooks said they recently did a speed study on the trail, and the results showed that almost all Trail riders obey the speed limit. “I think it was four percent who were speeding. When we factored in a 5-mph buffer it dropped to less than one percent. Only a few people were egregiously speeding, but we get calls for them.”
The Community Policing Deputies help educate people on the Trail and elsewhere about e-bike safety and laws. They also take the time to chat with people about their concerns. On their recent patrol, they heard tips regarding particular intersections that people were concerned about. With the entire Pinellas Trail Loop being 75 miles long, it is impossible for law enforcement to constantly patrol all of it, so they rely on citizens to help them find the problem spots and the rule-breakers. Deputies Pappamihiel and Brooks handed out business cards and encouraged people to report any issues. They monitor the ebb and flow of trail activity and look for changing patterns, then set up patrols of the area at the time they anticipate problems.
Some of the problem with e-bikes is perception. When you’re used to seeing a bike going around 10 mph, then 20 mph looks excessive by comparison. “People can ride the trail every day and have a completely different experience,” said Deputy Brooks. “Some people might ride it for years and never see anything that bothers them, other people might encounter an annoying rider almost every time they ride.”
A gentleman in his 80s who rides his bicycle on the trail several times a week said he doesn’t love sharing the trail with e-bike riders, but he can see why the kids like them. “If I was that age and had something that went that fast I’d probably be right there with them.”
Whether you’re on a traditional bike, e-bike, skateboard, or even if you’re a pedestrian on the Pinellas Trail, remember to always be courteous and predictable. Stay on the right except to pass, and announce your passing with a bell, horn, or your voice. If you’re stopping, step off the trail so you don’t create an obstruction. If you’re riding in a group, don’t take up the whole width of the trail. Always ride at a safe speed, and slow down in crowded areas. Even if you feel confident in your skills, riding fast close to people can be scary for them, and a slight miscalculation can be disastrous. Remember that people travel the Trail for a variety of reasons, and that they have a lot of different abilities. Be a polite pedestrian, and keep the Trail safe for everyone.
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