E-Bike Safety

Posted on 07/01/2026 by Traffic Safety Team

Safety for Electric Bicycles, Scooters, and Unicycles

Electric bikes and e-scooters continue to grow in popularity across Northeast Florida, especially among younger riders traveling through neighborhoods and to and from school. As use increases, education and safety awareness remain a priority concern for our communities.

Below are free resources to download, print, and share. To support the outreach and education efforts of our Northeast Florida District Two Traffic Safety Team, agencies, schools, and partners, we offer our NEW folded “E-Bike + E-Scooter Safety Tips” bi-fold flyers at no cost. District Two CTST members may click here to order online, while supplies last.

Help encourage safer riding habits and smarter choices, including:
• Helmet use and visibility
• Riding responsibly and obeying traffic laws
• Slowing down around pedestrians
• Hand signals and safe passing
• Staying alert and distraction-free
• Courtesy and shared responsibility on roads, sidewalks, and shared paths

The handout encourages riders to “Ride Smart” by focusing on safe behaviors that help prevent crashes and injuries. The materials are ideal for school programs, community events, youth outreach, law enforcement education efforts, neighborhood initiatives, and safety campaigns.

E-Bike Safety Materials

We have gathered e-bike safety recommendations, tips, and guidelines. Please use and share these materials, videos, and information to help improve safety and encourage safe use of e-bikes and other micromobility devices.

E-Bike Safety Discussion — *Basic Safety Tips for Electric Device Users*

e-bike safety tip card — *4×6 Helmet and E-Bike Safety Tip Card*

*E-Bikes in Florida: Red-White-Blue Design [FDOT Target Zero America PDF]*

E-bike Safety 8.5x11 Trifold Brochure ATAT thumbnail — *E-Bikes in Florida: What Parents Should Know* [FDOT Target Zero ATAT PDF]

Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow's Safety Reminders for Electric Bicycles and More — *Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow*‘s Safety Reminders for Electric Bicycles and More

Alert Today, Alive Tomorrow's Categories for Electric Bicycles and More — Know the Different Categories and Rules for Electric Bicycles & More

TraumaOne's Protect Your Brain E-Bike Safety — Protect Your Brain – E-Bike Safety from UF Health, TraumaOne

E-Bike Safety Road Rules

Classifications of E-Bikes

Fire Hazard Warning

E-Bike Study Jacksonville Beaches TPO 2026 Cover — North Florida TPO Beaches E-Bike Study [PDF]

Beaches E-Bike Study

In July 2026, the North Florida Transportation Planning Organization (TPO) released this E-Bike Study for Jacksonville Beach, Neptune Beach, and Atlantic Beach. This study was undertaken in response to the local need for greater clarity, consistency, and safety regarding micromobility operations. It evaluates how E-Bikes and other forms of micromobility are currently being used throughout the Beaches municipalities, what safety issues are emerging, how existing federal, state, and local policies frame micromobility operations, and what strategies may be available to improve outcomes for riders and non-riders alike.

This study is organized into five sections:

Current Trends in E-Bike Usage
Existing Laws and Policies
Safety Analysis
Public Outreach
Recommendations

Since 2023, we have held Districtwide Discussions regarding electric micromobility devices and safety. In 2025, we hosted another e-bike safety discussion with members of our District Two Traffic Safety Team to address ongoing concerns and rising injuries. As the use of e-bikes and e-scooters continues to grow, your participation in these conversations helps shape a more informed and proactive approach to addressing emerging challenges on our roads.

With expert insights and local perspectives, member engagement made this a valuable and productive meeting. A special thank-you to our presenters: Mark Sekelsky and Brian Benwick of the North Florida Bicycle Club; Rebecca Melvin, Trauma Injury Prevention, Education and Outreach Coordinator at UF Health Jacksonville; and Jackie Morrison, Community Health Educator and Safe Kids Northeast Florida Coordinator at Wolfson Children’s Hospital.

Here are links to the presentation, which includes our presenter’s slides, along with additional resources:

E-Bike Safety Meeting 08-06-25: Click here for the presentation slides [PDF]
Florida Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Coalition’s Professionals Webpage with Micromobility Model Legislation
Florida Bicycle Safety Quiz: https://flbikesafetyquiz.com/
E-Bike Riding Skills and Safety Training Course: https://ebikecourse.com
Kids Modifying Ebikes: Why These Dangerous Bike Hacks Put Teens at Risk, by American Bicycling Education Association (ABEA)
ABEA’s Cycling Savvy e-bike course for Teens

We have been addressing e-bike concerns since the early 2020s. In 2022, we created a presentation on micromobility, discussing terms, usage, and safety challenges nationally and in Northeast Florida. In 2023, we held multiple district-wide meetings addressing roadway concerns and issues regarding micromobility—specifically electric bicycles, scooters, unicycles, and golf carts or low-speed vehicles. Undoubtedly, tackling these safety concerns, from educating the public to tracking e-bike/scooter/unicycle crashes, trauma injuries, and enforcing local ordinances, will take a group effort.

Senate Bill 462 – Transportation was approved by Governor Ron DeSantis. The bill [Chapter No. 2025-149] went into effect on July 1, 2025, and will give local governments the authority to adopt additional regulations related to electric bicycles.

Key provisions of SB 462 include allowing local governments to:

Adopt ordinances establishing minimum age requirements for operating an electric bicycle.
Require operators of electric bicycles to possess government-issued IDs while riding.
Provide training on the safe operation of e-bikes and compliance with relevant traffic laws.

Legislation filed in November 2025 was VETOED by Governor Ron DeSantis: CS/SB 382: Micromobility Device

Senate Bill 382 [passed by Florida Senate and House, vetoed by Governor] – Micromobility Device; Providing requirements for the operation of electric bicycles; prohibiting the operation of an electric bicycle above a certain speed under certain circumstances; creating the Micromobility Device Safety Task Force adjunct to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles; requiring the Florida Highway Patrol and each police department and sheriff’s office to maintain a certain list, beginning on a certain date, etc.

Please take a moment to review the resources, local ordinances, Florida law, and news article links below related to e-bike safety. Check out input from CTST member Brian Benwick of the North Florida Bicycle Club. Also, please read “An Approach to E-Bike Safety” by CTST member Antonia Donnelly.

Traffic Safety Talk Newsletter

Posted on 06/10/2026 by Traffic Safety Team

Welcome to our Traffic Safety Talk newsletter – the FDOT District Two Community Traffic Safety Program (CTSP) news and information update. Each issue includes recent projects, community outreach events, and safety campaigns. We provide members with access to materials and resources. Digital flipbooks of the most recent newsletters are available. Additionally, we have included the PDF documents below for your reference, allowing you to view current and previous editions.

June 2026 Traffic Safety Talk Newsletter – Issue 2

Click here to download the June 2026 [PDF] or read it from the digital flipbook below.

CTST Partner Connections
Fun and Educational Traffic Safety for All Ages
Occupant Protection: Buckle Up in Your Truck Tip Card and Florida’s Safety Belt Use Survey
E-Bike Safety Update and New Educational Flyer
FAQs: Bicycle Facilities and Laws
Multi-Lane Roundabouts Can Be Tricky
Team Member Spotlights
CarFit Training and Events in District Two
Target Zero Outreach Highlights
Florida’s New SHSP Coming this Summer
Upcoming Campaigns and Team Meetings

February 2026 Traffic Safety Talk Newsletter – Issue 1

Click here to download the February 2026 [PDF] or view it in the flipbook above. This edition includes:

Celebrate Safely Campaign Success
Community Outreach Impact
Life is a Highway Campaign Growth
Child Passenger Safety Efforts
Transportation Maps Supporting Outreach
Encouraging Safety Trends
Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A)
FAQs: Traffic Signals and Operations
Target Zero Outreach Highlights
Partner and Member Spotlights
Upcoming Campaigns and Team Meetings

Safety Belt Use in Northeast Florida

Posted on 05/05/2026 by Traffic Safety Team

Florida’s statewide safety belt use rate for 2025 is 90.8 percent, an improvement from the 2024 result of 90.0 percent. This annual statewide survey is primarily designed to provide a single safety belt usage estimate for the entire State of Florida, not official county rates. However, these rates are still helpful as they serve as reference points for changes over time.

Three counties are surveyed in our 18-county FDOT District Two. Out of the 31,545 statewide total of Observed Front-Seat Occupants, including drivers and passengers, there were 4,669 observed in Alachua (1,364), Duval (1,726), and St. Johns (1,579). This accounts for 14.8% of the total number observed out of the 15 counties surveyed throughout the state.

2025 Survey Results for Safety Belt Use in Northeast Florida

Alachua County 91.4% (up from 90.6% in 2024)
Duval County 87.7 (up from 86.5% in 2024)
St Johns County 87.9% (up slightly from 87.5% in 2024)

Notably, the usage rates are based on weighted data from two sets of sample sites: those used in 2017-2021 and those used in recent surveys. This could influence the shift in survey numbers, and decreases could be due to the different areas where new sites are located. For example, Alachua’s usage rate was 95%, and St. Johns was 92.1% in 2021.

Despite the year-to-year fluctuation, safety belt usage generally shows an upward trend. However, the recent decline indicates that occupant protection programs should seek to increase safety belt use among the groups with disproportionately low use identified in this survey.

Occupant Protection Messages in Response to Low Usage Rates

The low safety belt usage groups identified include pickup truck occupants, male passengers, occupants between the ages of 16-34, and black occupants.

Be Savvy, Buckle Up for ages 16-34 — Occupants Ages 16-34: *Be Savvy… Buckle Up*

Buckle up in your truck — Occupants in Pickups: *Buckle Up in Your Truck*

be man enough to buckle up — Male Occupants: *Be Man Enough to Buckle Up*

buckle up, your life matters — Black Occupants: *Buckle Up… Your Life Matters*

Safety Belt Law History

In 1986, Florida implemented its first adult safety belt law. Safety belt use before the law was at 22% statewide. From 1999 to 2004, Florida’s use rate increased from 59% to just over 76% due to FDOT’s “Click It or Ticket” campaign and other efforts across the state. In 2009, Florida passed a primary enforcement safety belt bill, and safety belt use has increased since the law’s passage. Working together, we can continue to increase safety belt use and reduce fatalities and injuries on our roadways.

“Always Buckle Up … for Your Family. For Yourself. For LIFE.”
No Regrets When You BUCKLE UP!

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Move Over or Slow Down

Posted on 01/05/2026 by Traffic Safety Team

Every January is Move Over Month in Florida. The Northeast Florida Department of Transportation District Two Community Traffic Safety Program reminds all motorists to obey Florida’s Move Over Law. This law helps to protect those who protect us while they provide essential services in a dangerous environment – the side of the road.

Florida law requires motorists to move over a lane — when they can safely do so — or slow down by 20 mph below the posted speed limit for the following stopped along the roadway:

Law enforcement.
Emergency responders.
Sanitation and utility service vehicles.
Tow trucks or wreckers.
Maintenance or construction vehicles.
Disabled vehicles.

Slow Down if unable to move over — *Slow down if unable to move over*

Pull over for emergency and law enforcement vehicles — *Pull over for moving emergency and law enforcement vehicles*

Florida’s Move Over Law expanded in 2021 to include service vehicles and again in 2024 to include disabled motorists

In addition to first responders, this law, as of 2021, also applies to other public servants and roadside workers. Drivers typically know to move over for law enforcement, fire rescue, and emergency medical services. Many still do not realize the law requires them to move over for sanitation, utility, wrecker, maintenance, and construction vehicles. Basically, if motorists see a service vehicle on the side of the road with flashing warning lights, they need to change lanes or slow down.

Florida lawmakers took action to enhance protection for all roadway users. Effective January 1, 2024, the expanded Move Over law adds three scenarios to Florida’s current law. Motorists will be required to move over if:

There is a disabled motor vehicle that is stopped and displaying warning lights or hazard lights.
If a vehicle is stopped and is using emergency flares or posting emergency signage.
When a vehicle is stopped and one or more persons are visibly present.

Florida Law, Move Over and Slow Down for Stopped Emergency and Service Vehicles

In 2022, there were 170 crashes and more than 14,000 citations issued for motorists failing to move over in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV). Obeying Florida’s Move Over law will help ensure all personnel working and motorists disabled along our roadways get home safely.

Move Over

As soon as it is safe to do so, vacate the lane closest to the stopped law enforcement, emergency, sanitation, utility service vehicles, tow trucks or wreckers, maintenance or construction vehicles with displaying warning lights, and any disabled vehicle on the side of the road when driving on an interstate highway or other highways with two or more lanes.
Always signal your intention to change lanes.
Be prepared to allow those who are attempting to move over into the next lane.

Slow Down

If moving over cannot be safely accomplished, or when on a two-lane road, slow down to a speed that is 20 mph less than the posted speed limit when the posted speed limit is 25 mph or greater, or travel at 5 mph when the posted speed limit is 20 mph or less when driving on a two-lane road.

Violating the Move Over law puts you and others at risk, and a citation will result in a fine, fees, and points on your driving record. To read the Florida Statue, see 316.126 – Operation of vehicles and actions of pedestrians on approach of an authorized emergency, sanitation, or utility service vehicle.

Pull Over for Moving Emergency Vehicles

Additionally, motorists should always remember to pay attention while driving and pull over for emergency vehicles approaching from behind. Help emergency services reach their destination safely by:

Yielding the right of way.
Moving to the closest, safe edge of the roadway.
Clearing the intersection.
Remaining stopped until the emergency vehicle has passed.
Proceeding with caution and courtesy when merging back into the roadway.

Buckle Up and Slow Down

Posted on 07/28/2025 by Traffic Safety Team

Hey Guys, Slow Down! There is an over-representation of fatality and injury crashes with young men, ages 18–24, in Northeast Florida rural counties, caused by speeding and lower safety belt usage. We aim to reduce traffic fatalities and serious injuries by increasing safety belt usage and reducing excessive speeding. We’re taking a thoughtful approach to traffic safety—and we hope you’ll join us on this journey to save lives.

Drive like your future depends on it… because it does.

Improving roadway behaviors starts with us! Positive change begins by buckling up when you get in your vehicle, slowing down, and focusing on the road. Let’s keep the good vibes rolling—so we don’t come to a dead end. Life is a journey. Drive safely to reach your destination and your destiny.

Life is a Highway

Share these graphics to help spread the message. #LifeIsAHighway #DriveSafe

Life is a highway made of more than asphalt and concrete, filled with cars and people. These streets connect us and make it possible to go places, be someone, and enjoy the benefits of life. The long and winding roads take us to our future. If you don’t buckle up, slow down, and enjoy the journey, you may come to a dead end. Your family and friends would be devastated, and the world might never know what you could have been.

Buckle Up and Slow Down Poster and Banner

To help change this behavior, we created custom safety messages. The core idea is to save your life and protect your future. We need community outreach and connection to encourage slowing down and making driving safe the norm. Our new materials feature country-styled belt buckles with the messages “Buckle-Up” and “Slow Down,” conveying the idea that Life is a journey. Enjoy the ride… safely to reach your destiny. We want drivers to feel it’s okay NOT to be the fastest on the road.

Buckle Up and Slow Down

Help make buckling up the social norm and driving at safe speeds part of our safety culture. Please download and share our Buckle Up and Slow Down printable POSTER and square social media GRAPHIC. You may print this flyer as a handout tip card, include it in an email or newsletter, or post it on social media. Don’t forget to tag us on Facebook and Instagram @trafficsafetyteam and on Twitter and LinkedIn @trafficsafetyfl and hashtag #SlowDownFL #BuckleUpFL #TrafficSafetyFL

speeding, aggressive drivers, occupant protection, Country Buckle Up Belt and Slow Down Belt Buckle

We want all motorists, especially young male drivers between the ages of 18 and 24, to change their mindset about speeding and realize it’s not worth the risk to their life or future. After interviewing this target audience in Northeast Florida, we gained a deeper understanding of some barriers and behavioral determinants of excessive speeding. We found that they frequently exceeded posted speed limits by a significant margin on rural roadways.

Slow Down – District Two Market Research

Levy and Suwannee are two counties in Northeast Florida with a population under 44,000. Comparing these counties with other similarly sized counties in Florida, they are ranked most problematic (#1 and #3) in the issues of both speed and teen drivers per the FY2024 Highway Safety Matrix.

Examples of why speeding among young male drivers on rural roads is a problem include:

Limited law enforcement presence
Roadway characteristics – curvature, grade, width, and adjacent land use
Delayed EMS response times
Pickup trucks are more likely to roll over, especially when significantly altered/lifted; they are top-heavy

Formative data:

NHTSA 2020 Speeding Traffic Safety Facts – Thirty-five percent of male drivers in the 15- to 20-year-old age group involved in fatal crashes in 2020 were speeding, the highest among the age groups.
GHSA Teens and Speeding – from 2015 to 2019, teen drivers and passengers (16 – 19 years of age) had a greater proportion of speeding-related fatalities (43%) than all other age groups. Men were almost twice as likely as women to say that they drove at extreme speeds much more often than normal.
Speeding-related teen driver fatal crashes – the driver is more likely to be male (37% vs. 28%), have run off the road or rolled over the vehicle, and to be unbelted.
Male drivers in every age group account for the greatest proportion of fatal crashes involving speeding.
NTSB – The relationship between speed and injury severity is consistent and direct.
NHTSA – Drivers classified as speeders were almost three times as likely as sometime speeders to strongly agree with the statements, “I often get impatient with slower drivers” (45% versus 18%), “I enjoy the feeling of driving fast” (19% versus 6%), and “I try to get where I am going as fast as I can” (11% versus 3%).

Insight – Younger male drivers enjoy excessive speeding in rural areas without regard to safety or the law. Barriers and behavioral determinants:

Entitlement (the belief that their need to reach a destination is more important/deserving, ‘own the road.’)
Personable responsibility and self-protection
Driving over the speed limit is not dangerous for skilled drivers (male dominant attitude)
Hustle mentality
Traveling with the flow of traffic (everyone speeds)
Enjoy driving faster (extreme risks feel exciting, adrenaline rush)
Not predetermined, in-the-moment decisions to speed

Other materials, information, and resources available on our website about occupant protection, speeding, and driving tips for teens:

Occupant Protection

Driving Tips for Teens

Teen Drivers Speeding

Traffic Safety Team

Bringing you home safely

Tag Archives: northeast Florida

E-Bike Safety