Introduction to Electric Bikes

An electric bicycle ("ebike") has a battery-powered electric motor to assist your pedaling.  Some ebikes allow for throttle-only use. Essentially, it's a bike that gives you a boost on your ride.

An ebike lets you go faster and enjoy a cooling breeze while still getting exercise.  Ebikes are eco-friendly and may be used for fitness, errands, commuting, and as a speed equalizer when riding with family or friends.  However, control of ebike is different, and you need skills to manage its higher speeds.

Ebikes come in many styles: Beach Cruiser, Mountain Bike, Hybrid, Cargo, Road, Tandem and more.  Do research to select one that meets your needs.

With the added weight of the motor and battery, most ebikes have wider tires and are more robust construction than motorless bicycles.  While top rolling efficiency is unimportant with the added power from the motor, a heavier bike will be hard to pedal if the battery dies.

As of 2023, U.S. Federal law and traffic laws of most states define an electric bicycle as having:

• full operable pedals
• a saddle or seat for the rider
• an electric motor of less than 750 watts

An ebike must also be able to safely use the same travel spaces as other types of vehicles.

Laws define three classes of ebikes, as shows in the following table. 

Any of these ebikes can go faster than their maximum assisted speed downhill or with muscle power and high gearing.  Also, some machines have been sold or modified ("ebike tuning") to go faster with power assist then the legal classes of ebikes. "Out-of-class" machines are not ebikes, may not be street legal, and can pose additional risks of injury and liability.

Ebike riders are subject to the same traffic laws as other bicyclists, but ebikes may be prohibited on trails or paths where conventional bicycles are allowed.

Pedaling and Motor Control

Pedal and control of an ebike is of two basic types:

• Torque sensing: power increases in proportion to pedal force.  The motor works as a power amplifier.  This feels like riding a motorless bicycles, only you are stronger.
• Cadence sensing:  the motor senses crank rotation and supplies a constant power level as long as the pedals are rotating forward.

Throttle control, available on Class 2 ebikes may be activated by a thumb lever or twist grip.  The throttle is useful to accelerate while pedaling, but also works without pedaling.  Then, however, the rider isn't getting much exercise, and the battery runs down faster.

A handlebar-mounted controller/remote switch lets you select the level of the power assist.  Lower power levels provide less assist but increase the range on a battery charge while higher levels drain the battery and shorten the possible distance traveled..

With speed comes a greater need to understand the traffic environment: sight lines, door zones, blindspots and common motorist mistakes.  An ebike also requires additional handling skills because it is heavier and less nimble.  Using the motor assistance smoothly also takes some practice.  Without this understanding, an ebike may be just as likely as any other bike to gather dust in the garage afer a few close calls.

Motor and battery location

An ebike's motor may be in the front or rear bug, or crank area.  Motor location affects the way the bicycle handles.

Mid Drive

A bicycle with the motor in the crank area ("mid-drive" or "center-drive") handles most like a motorless bicycles, due to the centered and low weight distribution.  A mide-drive motor transmits power to the crank, putting more stress on the chain and the sprockets.  you need to check these more frequently for wear.  A motor with torque sensing allows the rider to pedal without applying power, to avoid damage to the drivetrain when shifting gears.

Hub Drive

A hub-drive motor transmits power directly to the wheel.  It does not stress the drivetrain.  An ebike with rear hub drive is noticeably heavier in the rear, making the bike a little harder to pick up or load onto a rack for transport.  The bike may also handle differently when cornering or braking hard.

A front hub motor may make steering feel slow and heavy.  Skidding of a powered front wheel can cause loss of steering control and balance.

Replacing a tire or inner tube on a wheel with a hub motor is cumbersome and can be complicated.

Battery 

The battery may be located in or on a frame tube, or on the ebikes rear rack.  As with the motor, the battery affects the feel of the bicycles.  Generally, a lower and more centered battery location makes for easier handling.

Retrofit Kits

An add-on motor and battery may be retrofitted onto a bicycle to make it into an ebike.  Special attention must be paid to ensure that the converted bike and its components can handle the additional load.  A factory ebike is designed so brakes, frame, fork and drivetrain can manage the additional weight, load and stresses of epower.  A retrofit may raise safety, lability and insurance issues and could void a bicycle's warranty.

Common questions we are asked about ebikes

Are there any age restrictions to riding an electric bike in Florida?

Unfortunately, there is currently no age restriction on electric bikes in the state of Florida.  

What are the laws around helmets in Florida?

Florida state law requires persons under the age of 16 to wear a helmet.  But, is highly recommended to wear a helmet when riding any bike!

What are the rules for riding on the road in Florida?

Electric bikes are allowed on roadways in the streets, highways, roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes, and bicycle or multiuse paths.

What are the rules for riding on the trails in Florida?

Electric bicycles are regulated by local government in terms of their use on bicycle path, multiuse path, or trail network.  Electric bikes with throttles are not allowed in national or Florida State parks. Check with local authorities for details.

Do you need a license, insurance or registration in Florida?

Legal Electric bikes that do not exceed 28 miles with assist do not need to be licensed or registered.

What are the restrictions on Motor power or throttle in Florida?

An electric bike motor can't exceed 750w

2024 Florida Statutes

Title XXIII Motor Vehicles, Chapter 316 State Uniform Traffic Control  Section 20655 Electric bicycle regulations

316.20655 Electric bicycle regulations.—

(1) Except as otherwise provided in this section, an electric bicycle or an operator of an electric bicycle shall be afforded all the rights and privileges, and be subject to all of the duties, of a bicycle or the operator of a bicycle, including s. 316.2065. An electric bicycle is a vehicle to the same extent as a bicycle. However, this section may not be construed to prevent a local government, through the exercise of its powers under s. 316.008, from adopting an ordinance governing the operation of electric bicycles on streets, highways, sidewalks, and sidewalk areas under the local government’s jurisdiction; to prevent a municipality, county, or agency of the state having jurisdiction over a bicycle path, multiuse path, or trail network from restricting or prohibiting the operation of an electric bicycle on a bicycle path, multiuse path, or trail network; or to prevent a municipality, county, or agency of the state having jurisdiction over a beach as defined in s. 161.54(3) or a dune as defined in s. 161.54(4) from restricting or prohibiting the operation of an electric bicycle on such beach or dune.

(2) An electric bicycle or an operator of an electric bicycle is not subject to the provisions of law relating to financial responsibility, driver or motor vehicle licenses, vehicle registration, title certificates, off-highway motorcycles, or off-highway vehicles.

(3) Beginning January 1, 2021, manufacturers and distributors of electric bicycles shall apply a label that is permanently affixed in a prominent location to each electric bicycle. The label must contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle.

(4) A person may not tamper with or modify an electric bicycle so as to change the motor-powered speed capability or engagement of an electric bicycle, unless the label indicating the classification number required in subsection (3) is replaced after such modification.

(5) An electric bicycle must comply with the equipment and manufacturing requirements for bicycles adopted by the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission under 16 C.F.R. part 1512.

(6) An electric bicycle must operate in a manner so that the electric motor is disengaged or ceases to function when the rider stops pedaling or when the brakes are applied.

(7) An operator may ride an electric bicycle where bicycles are allowed, including, but not limited to, streets, highways, roadways, shoulders, bicycle lanes, and bicycle or multiuse paths. 

Summary

An ebike can be wonderful in bring-in more people to cycling.  Riding ebikes is certainly fun and cool, but as we previously mentioned, "with great speed comes great responsibility!"  Thank you for reading and for your safety and the safety of others we encourage you to see out resources at Cyclingsavvy.org