Q: Can you comment on the recent ebike accidents?
A: Ebike rules and regulations as set forth in the Florida state statutes are not crystal clear, because they currently fall under the statutes that cover bicycles as to where one can ride and requirement for use of a helmet under the age of 16. These statutes predate ebikes and their popularity. If we create an ordinance here in St. Johns County and it’s passed by the board of county commissioners, there still is the issue that not one size fits all. What’s happening in the northwest part of the county is not the same as what we are seeing in the southern part of the county for instance.
Q: What is SJSO doing at this time to try to prevent ebike accidents?
A: First, we are in the midst of an educational campaign that we are sending out via the schools before summer break as a way to reach 52,000 students directly. Secondly, we are waiting to see if a potential state ordinance receives Gov. DeSantis’ signature as well as if our local board of county commissioners pass an ordinance for us to enforce.
Even with all of this, I believe some of the responsibility for safety of young ebike riders is up to the parents. Education should be done at home in addition to what we are doing. We want to have a partnership with parents and guardians so that they are holding their children accountable and they are the first enforcement rather than us.
We really don’t want the first interaction of law enforcement with a child to be us giving them a ticket.
Q: What is the best way for our readers to contact you with any questions or suggestions about this article?
A: They can email me at sheriff@sjso.org or call me at (904) 824-8304. Also, our website, www.sjso.org has a wealth of resources, from alarm registration to Crime Stoppers to our Neighbors app.
