ORLANDO, Fla. – News 6 traffic safety expert Trooper Steve Montiero answers viewer questions about the rules of the road every week, helping Orlando-area residents become better drivers by being better educated.
Thursday, a viewer named Bob asked, “On Florida hiking/biking trails there are signs that say ‘no motor vehicles.’ Are e-bikes allowed to use the trail?”
Not only is the answer to this question a flat-out “yes,” but Trooper Steve said Florida’s many trails are probably the main reason he’s been in the market for an e-bike.
“I wanted to have some fun out there. Yes, if a trail allows bicycles, then you are allowed to operate your e-bike on that trail,” he said. “You can ride your e-bike on any of our trails as long as there’s no sign specifically saying, ‘No e-bikes.’ ‘No motor vehicle’ does not apply to an e-bike and basically how the law reads is, anywhere a bicycle can go, an e-bike can go.”
Keep in mind, though, that all the same rules for bicyclists also apply to the operator of an electronic bicycle. That’s yielding to pedestrians, wearing safety equipment under a certain age and so on.
“Obviously, a rider of an e-bike must use extreme care when operating, just like they would do at any other time,” he said. “Go and enjoy it, but make sure you’re being extra careful, those things move quick.”
If you have a traffic question for Trooper Steve, submit it here.
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