Check those return policies, parents.
Children under 14 would be banned from riding electric bikes anywhere in St. Johns County under a newly proposed law — the strictest e-bike age restriction yet considered locally.
The updated draft ordinance, which builds on a wave of public pressure and safety concerns, also proposes a countywide 10 mph speed limit for e-bikes on roads and sidewalks, and would require helmets for all riders under 18.
These sweeping changes come amid a series of recent e-bike crashes, including two involving middle schoolers near Julington Creek.
E-bike complaints have become pillars of local Facebook groups, with posters frequently voicing their displeasure and occasionally posting videos and photos of unruly youngsters.
The newly proposed age limit marks a dramatic shift from current policy, where no formal age minimum exists.
Under the new strictures, children under 14 would be completely prohibited from operating an e-bike anywhere in the county.
Those aged 14 to 17 would be required to wear helmets, and e-bike use would be restricted to the far right side of roads without bike lanes, only when speed limits are 30 mph or lower.
Earlier versions of the ordinance focused only on limiting e-bike speeds to 10 mph on beaches, but that draft sparked controversy for ignoring broader concerns from residents in neighborhoods like Nocatee, where parents say reckless e-bike riding is becoming a suburban scourge.
The latest proposal follows mounting public concern and pressure on county officials, especially after two e-bike crashes involving students occurred just days apart earlier this month.
In Nocatee, an e-bike rider ended up in the hospital after running over a barbed spike that some believe was placed in the area to thwart users. Several others were also discovered nearby,
Despite the toughened rules, the proposed law does not yet include any penalties for violations.
Enforcement details will be up to the Board of County Commissioners, who are expected to review the measure during a public meeting Tuesday at 9:00 AM.
St. Johns County Sheriff Robert Hardwick has already indicated that his agency can’t realisitcally make e-bike safety enforcement a priority.
“If you’re expecting us to stop a bunch of kids on the sidewalk without helmets, I hope you understand that, as deputy sheriffs, we have other things we need to do,” he said on 904 Now earlier this month.
The onus for proper usage, he said, is on parents.
A vote has not yet been scheduled.
