Pinellas County commissioners plan to draft rules for e-bikes on the Pinellas Trail and other shared paths after cities across the county started acting on their own.

All Seven Commissioners Share Near-Miss Stories at Aug. 20 Workshop

At an Aug. 20 workshop, all seven commissioners shared personal near-miss encounters with reckless e-bike and "e-moto" riders, the Tampa Bay Beacons first reported. Commission Chair Dave Eggers, a former Dunedin mayor, called it "a serious issue not to be taken lightly." The commission agreed to revisit the topic at a future meeting but set no date. The 60-mile Pinellas Trail runs directly through both Dunedin and Palm Harbor.

State Veto Leaves E-Bike Rules to Local Governments

The push comes after Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed Senate Bill 382 in June, a measure that would have created statewide e-bike safety rules. The bill had passed both chambers unanimously. DeSantis said it would "lead to enhanced surveillance by local governments against citizens."

That veto left cities and counties to write their own rules. Under state law, local governments can require riders to carry photo IDs, set minimum age requirements, restrict e-bikes in certain areas including beaches and cap speeds on sidewalks and trails at 15 mph. The current speed limit on Pinellas County trails is 20 mph, according to Forward Pinellas senior planner Kyle Simpson.

Cities Set Their Own Speed Limits and Bans

Several Pinellas cities have already moved. St. Petersburg posted 10 mph speed limit signs along its North Bay Trail in August. Riders there could face citations for failure to comply with traffic control devices, though St. Petersburg police spokesperson Yolanda Fernandez said the department has not cited anyone yet and is focusing on education.

Tarpon Springs commissioners unanimously advanced an ordinance on first reading Aug. 25 that would ban riding bikes, e-bikes and motorized scooters on sidewalks in parts of downtown, the Sponge Docks and Craig Park. Fines would range from $50 for a first offense to $100 for a second within 12 months and $250 for subsequent violations, the St. Pete Catalyst reported.

Gulfport's city council reviewed a draft e-bike ordinance in August but delayed action to gather more safety data.

Enforcement Remains a Persistent Challenge

Enforcement remains the central challenge. Clearwater police policy does not allow officers to chase e-bikers who flee. E-motos, vehicles sold as e-bikes but capable of 50 mph or more, fall into a legal gray area not defined in state statute. County Attorney Don Crowell warned commissioners the county should lean on its partnership with the Pinellas County Sheriff's Office to address those devices.

Commissioner Highlights Rising Fatalities Over Age Restrictions

Commissioner Kathleen Peters said she wants to focus on speed limits rather than age restrictions, which she said could block students who ride e-bikes to school. She compared the situation to a wave of water scooter deaths in Pinellas years ago, before the state set a minimum age of 14 for WaveRunners.

"We're having way more fatalities on these than we had on WaveRunners," Peters said at the Aug. 20 workshop.

18 people riding e-bikes have been killed in Pinellas County over the past five years, making it the deadliest county in the Tampa Bay region for e-bike crashes, according to the St. Pete Catalyst. In 2025 alone, 11 people died in crashes involving electric-assisted vehicles in the county, WUSF reported.

Regional Workgroup Already Underway in Dunedin

Dunedin is already part of a regional e-bike workgroup alongside Pinellas County, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, the Sheriff's Office and Forward Pinellas, according to the city's website. The group has recommended focusing enforcement on reckless operation and non-compliant devices.

No Rules Meeting Set Yet, But County Sessions Continue This Month

The commission has not scheduled a specific meeting to take up e-bike rules. The next county work session is Thursday at 9:30 a.m., with a regular meeting Sept. 10 at 2 p.m. Both are at 333 Chestnut St. in Clearwater. Residents can check the county's meeting schedule for agenda updates.