NEPTUNE BEACH, Fla. — Weekly complaints have prompted the Neptune Beach Police Department to address one of their growing issues on the roads – e-bikes.
New signs line 1st Street to ensure everyone knows the rules of the roads.
“I’ve been here one month," said Patrick Lareau, who recently moved to the beaches from Boston. "I’ve had to slam on my brakes because they just pop out of nowhere. They don’t stop at a stop sign, they blast through a stop light. It’s happened so many times.”
In Lareau's month on the roads, he’s had to get used to one major change - the amount of bikes and e-bikes on the streets near the beach.
“I drive defensively," said Lareau. "I get nervous anytime I can’t see where cars are coming from. Or, in this case, e-bikes.”
The rise in e-bike popularity prompted the City of Neptune Beach to pass an ordinance about two years ago, setting the maximum legal speed of an e-bike in city limits at 15 miles per hour.
However, after a recent incident, the police department is doubling down.
“Maybe six months ago, we had a bicyclist vs. pedestrian crash on 1st Street," said Sergeant Will Torres. "It is a problem.”
Neptune Beach Police put out signs on 1st Street, making sure e-bikers know the speed limit rule, as well as the requirement to follow road rules, like stopping at stop signs and yielding to pedestrians.
E-bikes also need to have lights on both the front and back when it’s dark out, and riders under 16 need to have a helmet on.
“That’s the purpose of the e-bike signs is to educate the public that any bike or e-bike operator has the same responsibilities as any motor vehicle operator on the roadway," said Torres.
Breaking the laws listed on the signs is a $62 ticket.