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Is It Safe to Ride an E-bike in Palm Beach County?

E-bikes are trending in Palm Beach County and throughout South Florida. They can be a fun, environmentally-friendly way to travel around Boca Raton and our surrounding areas, but are they safe? Over the winter, two e-bike riders from Port St. Lucie and Okeechobee Counties were tragically hit by cars and killed[1]. This past spring a local middle schooler riding his e-bike was struck by a car and ended up in the hospital with a fractured skull, broken jaw, and brain bleed[2].  Here are some considerations to keep in mind if you are thinking about buying an e-bike in Palm Beach County:

Florida has three classifications of e-bikes:

Class 1: has a motor that provides propulsion when the rider is pedaling and can travel up to 20 mph

Class 2: has a motor that can be used for propulsion whether or not the rider is pedaling and can travel up to 20 mph

Class 3: has a motor that provides propulsion only when the rider is pedaling and can travel up to 28 mph

All three classifications are treated the same as a standard bike under Florida laws. The bike must have a label on it indicating which class it is. If you adapt the motor to allow it go faster than the speeds noted above, it will no longer be classified as a bike and will be subject to different laws.

Like a traditional bike, an e-bike does not require a license plate or other form of registration. It also does not require a driver’s license to operate. If the rider is under age 16, they are legally required to wear a helmet. If the rider is age 16 or older, they are not required to wear a helmet, however, they should wear one for their own safety. Wearing a helmet can help prevent brain injuries and save your life in an accident.

E-bike riders must follow all rules of the road, such as signaling turns, obeying all traffic signs and signals, and yielding to pedestrians. It’s also important to wear reflective gear and have lights and reflectors on your bike to make sure you are highly visible to car drivers. Even taking these precautions, accidents can happen. If you have Personal Injury Protection (PIP) insurance, that will be your first source of compensation if you are involved in an accident. However, it will likely not be enough to cover all your expenses if you are seriously injured.

If you are injured while riding an e-bike, contact ECanter Lawyers. We are experienced personal injury attorneys who will fight for you to receive the compensation you deserve to cover your medical bills, lost wages, future lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call us for a no-obligation free consultation.

ECanter Lawyers

When you are dealing with the chaos and pain of accidents and personal injuries, the last thing you need is technical, confusing legal language.  ECanter Lawyers breaks down the complexities and provides clear, informative answers so that you understand your legal options. 

For a quarter of a century, ECanter Lawyers has remained committed to honest, straightforward answers.  Named one of AVVO’s Clients’ Choice, ECanter Lawyers has helped clients receive multi-million-dollar verdicts, and millions of dollars in settlements.  ECanter Lawyers specializes in personal injury, motor vehicle accidents, medical malpractice, premises and product liability, and healthcare law.

With offices conveniently located throughout South Florida and 24/7 services, ECanter Lawyers personal injury law firm offers you the personalized attention that you need in order to maximize your compensation. 

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[1] WPTV. 2 deaths in one week related to e-bike crashes (wptv.com). Accessed July 7, 2024.

[2] WPTV. Jupiter boy hospitalized after electric bike crash (wptv.com). Accessed July 7, 2024.