TO: Mayor and Commissioners
FROM: Lynn Gelin, City Attorney
DATE: July 14, 2026
Title
DISCUSSION REGARDING DRAFT LANGUAGE FOR E-BIKE ORDINANCE
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Recommended Action:
Recommendation
Provide Direction to Staff Regarding Draft Language for E-Bike Ordinance.
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Background:
At its June 9, 2026 meeting, the City Commission discussed the possibility of adopting an ordinance addressing the operation of electric bicycles, also known as e-bikes. Recently, due to the high incidence of e-bike accidents, many cities have considered enacting ordinances to regulate these devices. Most recently, the Palm Beach County Commission considered a draft ordinance that the City of Lake Worth Beach committed to adopting as well. In addition, the Village of Wellington, as part of a visioning session, discussed drafting its own ordinance rather than wait for the County to approve its own.
The Palm Beach County ordinance, known as the Micromobility Device Ordinance (the “County Ordinance”), provides operation and safety standards, requires the use of helmets, and establishes youth safety requirements to lawfully operate micromobility devices. The County Ordinance specifically provides that any municipality may elect to “opt out of the provisions” of the ordinance by expressly stating its intent not to be governed by same. In other words, the County Ordinance, when adopted, would be applicable to all municipalities within Palm Beach County unless the governing body of the municipality stated otherwise by resolution or ordinance. To date, the County has not adopted its Micromobility Device Ordinance.
The state regulates electric bicycles. Similar to the draft County Ordinance, Florida Statute 316.20655 provides, inter alia, that local governments may (1) adopt an ordinance providing one or more minimum age requirements to operate an electric bicycle and may adopt an ordinance requiring an operator of an electric bicycle to possess a government-issued photographic identification while operating the electric bicycle and (2) provide training on the safe operation of electric bicycles and compliance with the traffic laws of this state that apply to electric bicycles. The Legislature recently attempted to amend FS 316.20655 to establish additional requirements for the operation of electric bicycles through the passage of Senate Bill 382. However, SB 382 was vetoed by the Governor on June 25, 2026.
Further, Florida Statute 316.2128 authorizes a local government to adopt “ordinance[s] governing the operation of micromobility devices and motorized scooters on streets, highways, sidewalks, and sidewalk areas under the local government’s jurisdiction.” See FS 316.2128(1). The Town of Palm Beach, in 2025, adopted Ordinance No. 17-2025, prohibiting the use of micromobility devices upon all town sidewalks in the commercial zoning districts for the Town. In addition, riders of micromobility devices such as electric bikes, scooters, and segways must be at least 15 years old and, if under 16, must wear a helmet. Last, a government-issued ID must be carried when operating these devices.
Here, the City currently regulates micromobility devices. Chapter 73 of the Code of Ordinances, while dealing mostly with the rental of micromobility devices, can be amended to include the operation of these devices so long as the City’s regulations are consistent with the mandates of Florida law. Alternatively, the City can take a “wait and see” approach while the County Commission considers adoption of a County-wide ordinance. Should the City elect to await adoption of the County Ordinance, no further action is necessary.
City Attorney Review:
Approved as to form and legal sufficiency.