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Home My WebLink About10-14-26 Joint Meeting with COAB, CONB, and COJB - North Florida TPO E-Bike Study PresentationBeaches E-Bike Study Understanding emerging micromobility in Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach Florida 1 NORTH FLORIDA TPO 2 NORTH FLORIDA TPO 3 News and Social Media AtkinsRéalis - Baseline / Référence 4 4 WHY? 5 5 6 What is an E-Bike? Florida continues to rely on its foundational statutory structure under §316.20655 and Title XXIII (F.S. §316.003(23)), which establishes the state’s three-class E-Bike system within a 750-watt power cap. 6 AtkinsRéalis - Baseline / Référence 7 VS 16+ 7 AtkinsRéalis - Baseline / Référence 8 8 Project Purpose: 9 Identify the impact of e-bikes on residents and visitors Explore options for safely allowing e-bikes to operate within each city Determine safety concerns, regulatory options and other measures to keep the community and e-bike riders safe 9 Stakeholder Engagement 10 The North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) The East Coast Greenway (ECG) Trail Alliance The City of Atlantic Beach The City of Neptune Beach The City of Jacksonville Beach The Neptune Beach Police Department The Orange Park Police Department Open Road Bicycles 10 Literature Review 11 11 Literature Review: FHWA E-Bike Case Studies AtkinsRéalis - Baseline / Référence 12 12 Literature Review: Municipal Reports 13 Highlights 14 The National Transportation Safety Board’s #1 recommendation is to add e-scooter and e-bike device codes to police crash data Class 1 E-Bikes allowed on trails in Durango, CO with minimal conflicts with hikers There was a +357% change in E-Bike injuries treated in US emergency rooms from 2020 to 2022 59% of reported fatalities associated with micromobility were attributed to E-Bikes 70% of non-injury/fatality incidents associated with e-bikes were attributed to fire hazards Micromobility: Data Challenges Associated with Assessing the Prevalence and Risk of Electric Scooter and Electric Bicycle Fatalities and Injuries, 2022 Micromobility Products-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns: 2017–2023 Durango, CO Natural Surface Trails Project, FHWA Case Study National Electronic Injury Surveillance System Micromobility Products-Related Deaths, Injuries, and Hazard Patterns: 2017–2023 14 Policy Review 15 15 Policy Federal 15 U.S. Code Statute 2085 A “low-speed electric bicycle” is a 2- or 3-wheeled vehicle with fully operable pedals and an electric motor less than 750 W that can travel up to 20 mph on motor power alone Brings such e-bikes under Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) bicycle equipment standards (16 CFR part 1512) NOT National Highway Traffic Safety motor-vehicle rules National Park Service E-bikes are generally allowed where traditional bikes are allowed, but defer to local jurisdictions Bureau of Land Management Amended off-highway vehicle (OHV) regulations in 2020 to define Class 1-3 e-bikes Field offices authorize e-bike use on non-motorized roads/trails U.S. Fish and Wildlife Regulates e-bikes by allowing them only on roads/trails already open to traditional bicycles unless otherwise prohibited State The State of Florida has adopted a three-class system for e-bikes defined by Title XXIII Motor Vehicles (Florida Statute (F.S.) §316.003(23)) within the 750 W cap: Class 1- pedal-assisted up to 20 mph - Bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance with the electric bicycle reaches 20 mph. Class 2- throttle allowed up to 20 mph - Bicycle equipped with a throttle-actuated motor that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches 20 mph. Class 3- pedal-assisted up to 28 mph - Bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling, and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches 28 mph. FS 316.20655 unless local rules state otherwise, e-bikes have the same rights/duties as bicyclists and may ride anywhere bicycles are allowed including streets, bike lanes, shoulders, and multi-use paths Allows local governments to restrict e-bikes on paths/trail networks and on beaches and dunes Preserves local powers to set age minimums or require photo ID Under 16 must wear a bicycle helmet HB 243 & SB 382 – November 2025 Penalties for modifying electric bicycles ($100 first time, $250 within 3 years) Yield to pedestrians and give audible signal on shared pathways and recreational areas Requiring a certain license for Class 3 e-bikes SB Effective July 2027 SB 462 adds subsection 8 and 9 to 316.20655 allows for municipalities to: Minimum age requirements require ID may provide training rewrote definition of “micromobility device” to specifically include E- bikes Florida Cities Collier County Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) Approved amendments to their Pedestrian Safety Ordinance – April 2025 E-Bikes of any class must not exceed 15 mph when operated on sidewalks. Individuals under 16 are prohibited from riding Class 3 e-bikes All e-bike classes are permitted on sidewalks; however, riders over 16 using a Class 3 e-Bike must use bike lanes when available and are not allowed on sidewalks. They must also adhere to the 15 mph speed limit. Palm Coast City Council Proposed speed limit (10 mph) for e-bikes removed Enforcing would require new signage Instead, riders must avoid unsafe or reckless behavior and excessive speeds Age requirement lowered from 15 to 11 One council member stating that age limits on e-bikes “overstepping” and inconsistent Identification rules Student IDs are now valid identification Education Important but implementation unclear Miami Creates Section 2-98.3 Two riders prohibited unless adult and child Max speed on county-owned ROW limited to 20 mph Operation of a micromobility device on a public sidewalk is prohibited Micromobility devices shall only be operated within bike lanes, if available, or upon streets with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or less Parking restrictions May be ticketed for traffic violations First offense: $250 Second or subsequent offense: $500< Local St. John’s County Resolution No. 2025-217 – August 2025 Front white light, rear red light, turn signals, and audible horn required when operating on any public roadway Yield to pedestrian right of way If bike lane is not available, ride in far right of travel lane Due care 10 mph or less when operating on sidewalks Should wear a helmet City of Jacksonville E-bikes are permitted to ride anywhere bicycles can, unless COJ or managing agency posts restrictions City Code, Title XXIII, Ch. 804 Local rules for bicycles also apply to e-bikes unless a local e-bike-specific restriction is adopted Ordinance 2020-26-E (Chapter 235, Dockless Mobility Programs) Allowed for shared e-bikes and e-scooters Set a Downtown Dockless Mobility Zone with geofencing Jacksonville Downtown Investment Authority (DIA) in partnership with COJ published a Dockless Mobility Permit Application stating devices must meet the NHTSA/CPSC low-speed e-bike definition (<750 W) with a maximum motor-powered speed of <15 mph (and <10 mph on sidewalks) 16 Local Policies AtkinsRéalis - Baseline / Référence 17 CITY OF JACKSONVILLE Ordinance 2026-570 15 mph speed limit on sidewalks & shared paths CITY OF FERNADINA BEACH Ordinance No. 2026-08 25 mph speed limit on roadways 10 mph limit class-1 E-bikes (sidewalks) 10 mph limit all E-bikes trails & shared paths Fines & education 17 State Policy SB 382 Highlights: 10 mph speed limit within 50 ft of pedestrians on sidewalks and in pedestrian-heavy areas Mandatory yielding and audible warning to pedestrians on all shared use paths and park trails Standardized statewide crash documentation for E-Bikes and other micromobility devices Crash date and time E-Bike class Rider age and possession of photo identification (if applicable) Statewide summary of micromobility crash events to be published by the Department Highways Safety and Motor Vehicles Vetoed June 25, 2026 18 Safety Analysis 19 19 Crash Analysis Pulled bicycle crash data from January 2020 – March 2026 from Signal 4 Analytics Hand sorted crash reports for mentions of “e-bike”, “electric bike”, “electric scooter” and other combinations to find relevant crash reports Crash locations were mapped and analyzed for trends 20 Crash Analysis Cont. 21 Crash Severity 21 Crash Analysis Cont. 22 22 Crash Investigation AtkinsRéalis - Baseline / Référence 07.30.2025, 5:50 PM, Minor (13), hit and run, riding on sidewalk, #27507528 05.06.2022, 12:31 PM, car at fault, hit e-bike in crosswalk, #25318134 02.14.2021, 10:55 AM, car hit e-bike in crosswalk, riding on sidewalk, #85075564 “Due to his bicycle being motorized, he has to obey the same traffic laws as vehicles” – Officer on scene 08.18.2025, 6:50 PM, car hit e-scooter in crosswalk, traveling on sidewalk, #27507542 03.09.2022, 11:14 AM, car hit e-bike in crosswalk turning right on red, riding on sidewalk, ped signal used, #24557246 09.15.2025, 1:29 PM, car hit e-bike in intersection, traveling on sidewalk, e-bike cited for leaving the safety of the sidewalk, #27507563 09.06.2024, 12:15 PM, car and e-bike hit each other, #26877244 05.31.2025, 9:45 PM, minor (13), hit car bumper, modified e-bike, #27507489 23 23 Crash Analysis Quick Facts 24 24 Existing and Planned Infrastructure 25 25 Existing and Planned Infrastructure Bike lanes and shared use paths 26 Existing and Planned Infrastructure SUN Trail Network East Coast Greenway 27 Existing and Planned Infrastructure Mayport Road Diet Construction anticipated early 2026-2028 Some of the proposed improvements include milling & resurfacing, upgrading signalized intersections, lane repurposing (reducing the number of traffic lanes), addition of a southern bike lane, northbound sidewalk widening, and a vision of a 12-foot shared use path on one side of the road. Timeline: An engineer has been selected, and the project is currently in the design phase. Bidding is anticipated to begin in December 2025. Construction is expected to start in early 2026 and conclude in late 2028. 28 Survey 29 29 Mayport Road Diet E-Bike Class Ride Origins/Destinations Riding Frequency Facility Type 30 31 31 32 32 Survey 552 total responses! 33 CURRENT EFFORTS 34 34 35 JAX BEACH:URBAN TRAILS MASTER PLAN 35 AtkinsRéalis - Baseline / Référence 36 ATLANTIC BEACH VISION ZERO ACTION PLAN 36 37 37 38 38 TRAFFIC GARDEN As part of the bicycle safety curriculum, students are taught bicycle safety throughout a week, culminating in outside lessons and activities where students have an opportunity to put the lessons into practice on bicycle courses called “traffic gardens.” 38 39 Physical and Health educators were introduced to the traffic gardens at the January Teacher’s Day event at Atlantic Coast High School. DCPS has also been working with Jacksonville’s Parks Department to determine public parks where more traffic gardens may be constructed. 39 40 A bike trailer, purchased through a Safe Streets grant, is moved to each new school that begins the week of safety lessons. Volunteers through Jacksonville’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee provide free maintenance and parts for the bicycles that would otherwise be in disrepair. 40 SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL (SRTS) The program identifies barriers preventing students from walking/biking to school and uses the 5-E’s to address them UPWP Task 5.9: Safe Routes to School pilot program offers schools technical assistance SRTS Grant: Can improve conditions within a 2 - mile walkshed of a school, the funding cycle runs September 30th – January 31st 41 The TPO has been proactive in establishing a SRTS process and activities. 41 42 BIKE BUS 42 43 E-Bikes & Electric Motorcycles @ School No E-Bikes or E-Scooter at Elementary Schools High School students must register their devices No E-Motos allowed on campus No E-Motos allowed on campus No E-Motos allowed on campus Nassau County Duval County St. Johns County Clay County 43 Recommendations 44 44 45 Recommendations AtkinsRéalis - Baseline / Référence 46 Physical: Separated facilities E-Bike parking and charging stations Signs and wayfinding 46 High Demand Network Where should E-Bikes ride? Where should strategic improvements be made? 47 Recommendations 48 Programmatic: Affirm the 3-class system and label requirement. Establish an E-Bike Advisory Committee within the Beaches Municipalities. Set off-street path rules: Allow Class 1 & 2 on multi-use paths and exclude Class 3 on narrow shared-use trails unless signed otherwise. Post a unified E-Bike speed limit (10 mph) on sidewalks, multi-use paths, greenways, and all pedestrian areas. 48 Recommendations 49 Programmatic continued: Age and ID Rules: Require a minimum age (15 years old) and photo ID (including school ID) for E-bike operation on certain facilities. Registration: Require E-Bike registration within each municipality. Education and Outreach: Launch education campaign targeting school-age users, adult users, and parents. Law Enforcement Reporting: Require clarity in crash reporting standards to clearly capture and differentiate collisions involving e-bikes. 49 50 Source: Smart Growth America, Dangerous by Design 2024 #16 City of Jacksonville, Florida 50 What happens when an E-Bike is hit ? The most common speed limit for fatal bike crashes was 45 mph-NHTSA (2023) 51 52 53 https://northfloridatpo.com 53 Thalia Fusté tfuste@northfloridatpo.com Mary Noonan mary.noonan@atkinsréalis.com Thank You! 54