The Jacksonville City Council unanimously approved new e-bike rules Tuesday, setting a 15 mph speed limit on sidewalks and shared pathways and requiring helmets for riders under 16, as News4JAX reported.

The new rules apply citywide, including Mandarin's shared-use trail corridors and school zones. Council Member Michael Boylan, who championed the legislation, said the effort began in October 2025.

Penalties, retailer signage and school outreach

Violations will be treated as Class C civil infractions. E-bike retailers must post safety signage within 60 days of the law taking effect, directing customers to local and state e-bike rules. The Jacksonville Transportation Planning Department will supply the information.

Duval County School Board member Melody Bolduc spoke at the meeting in support. Boylan said the Duval County Public Schools administration agreed to update its safety education curriculum to include the new rules.

How the bill won over committee opponents

The school district's commitment helped persuade Council Member Will Lahnen, who voted against the bill in committee, to change his position. "I am concerned about the enforcement, but just give my follow up conversations with the school board, I will support it," Lahnen said at the meeting.

Council Member Ron Salem, who also opposed the bill in committee, said separate discussions with the Jacksonville Sheriff's Office changed his mind. The Sheriff's Office had earlier raised concerns that an initial plan for just 26 signs citywide would not give riders fair notice, News4JAX reported.

The final ordinance addresses that gap. Each of the 19 council districts can spend up to $45,000 from the existing Safe Streets Initiative on speed-limit signs, drawing from more than $500,000 that remains in the program.

The speed limit was originally proposed at 10 mph but was raised to 15 mph to align with state law, as First Coast News reported. The bill also dropped a previously proposed minimum age requirement, leaving parents to decide whether a child is ready to ride.

Rising injury numbers add urgency

Boylan cited Wolfson Children's Hospital data projecting 194 e-bike injuries in the Jacksonville area, up from 23 three or four years ago. The hospital reported a 222% increase in e-bike and e-scooter injuries from 2023 to 2024.

Council Member Rory Diamond referenced a fatal crash involving a 15-year-old at the five-way intersection on Penman Road near Jacksonville Beach. Council Member Matt Carlucci, speaking from his experience as an insurance agent, urged colleagues not to wait for a perfect solution.

The ordinance takes effect upon the mayor's signature. Boylan said before the vote that he expects the rules to be in place by Dec. 1.