Florida’s E-Bike Laws May Be About to Change: What You Need to Know
Florida’s electric bike landscape is at a crossroads. As e-bikes become more popular for commuting and recreation, state lawmakers are looking to update the rules of the road.
Florida House Bill 243 (and its companion Senate Bill 382) has been proposed for the 2026 legislative session. If passed, this bill would fundamentally change how certain high-powered electric bikes are classified and who is allowed to ride them.
We want to know what the cycling community thinks. Read the summary below and then share your feedback using our Community Feedback Form.
The "E-Moto" vs. The E-Bike
One of the most significant parts of HB 243 is the creation of a new statutory category: the "Electric Motorcycle" (or e-moto).
Currently, many high-powered electric bikes occupy a "gray area." This bill seeks to draw a clear line. An Electric Motorcycle would be defined as:
Any electric motor vehicle powered by a motor of 750 watts or more
Capable of exceeding 28 MPH
The Impact: Once a vehicle is classified as an e-moto, it is no longer a "bicycle" in the eyes of the law. This means it would likely be banned from most multi-use paths and would be subject to motorcycle-style regulations. Additionally, the bill explicitly prohibits anyone under 16 from operating an e-moto.
Licenses, Age Limits, and Class 3 E-Bikes
The bill also targets Class 3 e-bikes (pedal-assist only, up to 28 MPH). Under the new proposal:
Licensing: You would be required to hold a valid learner’s permit or driver’s license to operate a Class 3 e-bike.
Age Limit: Because a permit is required, this effectively creates a minimum age of 15-16 to ride these bikes.
Modifications: The bill would impose fines ($100 for a first offense) for anyone caught "knowingly modifying" an e-bike to exceed its factory speed or power specs.
Other Notable Changes
Crash Data: Law enforcement would be required to specifically track whether a crash involved an e-bike, e-scooter, or e-moto to help the state understand safety trends.
Driver Education: The Florida driver's license exam would add at least 5 questions specifically about the safe operation of e-bikes and e-scooters.
Rules of the Trail: E-bike riders on shared paths would be required by law to yield to pedestrians and provide an audible signal before passing. Yes, this is already the law - but would explicitly state this requirement for e-bike riders.
We Want Your Feedback
As a voice for cyclists, we want to bring your concerns or support to the state legislature. Please take a moment to consider these two questions and submit your thoughts via our form:
Question 1: Is the "E-Moto" definition a good thing?
Does creating a separate category for high-powered electric bikes help keep our trails and sidewalks safe, or does it unfairly penalize people using high-speed e-bikes for long-distance commuting?
Question 2: Should these rules apply to Class 2 e-bikes?
The current bill requires a license for Class 3 bikes (28 MPH pedal-assist). However, many "throttle-style" bikes - which seem to be particularly popular among younger riders - are Class 2 (20 MPH with a throttle). Do you think the license and age requirements should stay limited to Class 3, or should they be expanded to include Class 2 e-bikes as well?
