Walton County E-Bike Ordinance Survey

To help ensure Walton County continues to meet and exceed the needs of its citizens, your input is being sought on proposed modifications to applicable ordinances to impose additional regulations or restrictions on e-bike use to enhance public safety. Prior to taking this survey, please read the draft Walton County Ordinance and proposed Senate Bill (SB382). You can download the documents using these links:

Proposed Senate Bill 382

Draft Walton County E-Bike Ordinance

Your feedback will be utilized in the development of any additional regulations on e-bike use and provided to the Board of County Commissioners for their consideration of the draft Walton County Ordinance.

Per FS 316.003, an e-bike is defined as the following:

A bicycle or tricycle equipped with fully operable pedals, a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, and an electric motor of less than 750 watts which meets the requirements of one of the following three classifications:

(a) “Class 1 electric bicycle” means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

(b) “Class 2 electric bicycle” means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that may be used exclusively to propel the electric bicycle and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches the speed of 20 miles per hour.

(c) “Class 3 electric bicycle” means an electric bicycle equipped with a motor that provides assistance only when the rider is pedaling and that ceases to provide assistance when the electric bicycle reaches the speed of 28 miles per hour.

E-Bike Usage

1.How often do you use an e-bike?(Required.)

Not at all and I don’t plan to use one

Not currently but I plan to use one in the future

I have used these devices a few times

I use these devices 1-3 times per month

I use these devices 1-5 times per week

I use these devices more than 5 times per week

2.If you answered "not at all" to the previous question, please explain why. (Check all that apply)(Required.)

Device safety concerns

Traffic/infrastructure concerns

Accessibility (i.e. unable to operate the vehicles due to disability)

Lack of available devices

Other

I selected that I use an e-bike in the previous question

3.Why do you use e-bikes?(Required.)

E-Bike Safety

4.Have you ever experienced an e-bike crash or near collision with an e-bike?(Required.)

Yes, as an e-bike rider

Yes, as a pedestrian

5.If yes, please provide as many details as you feel comfortable sharing:

E-Bike User Behavior

Tell us what you've seen or heard with regard to...

6.People riding e-bikes safely or courteously:(Required.)

7.People riding e-bikes dangerously or rudely:(Required.)

Sharing Roads & Trails with E-Bikes

What are the biggest issues you've seen or heard when...

8.… adults use e-bikes on roads or trails?(Required.)

9....children or teens use e-bikes on roads or trails?(Required.)

10.Do you feel e-bikes should be restricted on certain facilities? Check all that apply:(Required.)

Sidewalks

Multi-Use paths

Trails

Other (please specify)

E-Bike Enforcement Feasibility

11.Which regulations do you think would be the hardest to enforce? Pick your top 3:(Required.)

Checking the age of riders

Catching people going too fast

Finding bikes that have been modified to go faster

Making sure people share paths & trails properly

Keeping e-bikes out of areas where they aren't allowed

Requiring licenses, registration or tags for e-bikes

Priority Regulations for E-Bikes

12.Do you feel Walton County should establish regulations on the use of e-bikes in excess of State regulations?(Required.)

Yes

13.If yes, please explain:

14.Which of these possible policies is most important to you? Pick your top 3:(Required.)

Minimum age for riders

Speed limits on sidewalks and trails

Regulations on bike size, power, or max speed

Riders sharing paths & trails safely

Building more bike lanes and trails

Requiring helmets and lights

15.Do you feel Walton County should establish regulations on the use of e-bikes to prohibit use along the dunes or beach?(Required.)

Yes

16.After reading the draft Walton County Ordinance and the proposed SB382 to provide regulation on e-bikes (attached), provide any additional comments that should be taken into consideration: