E-Bikes on bike/walking paths
 

I own an e-bike, the kind that looks like a moped style motorcycle. Powered by battery, but has pedals and can be fully operated without the battery.

I've seen conflicting information on where I'm allowed to use this. I see regular bicycles that are battery assisted on bike paths everyday. When I've ridden my e-bike on these a handful of times, I've experienced negative reactions from people.

Meanwhile, I'm just trying to avoid driving my fairly small e-bike in the golf cart lane and getting run down by someone in their SUV with diminished vision.

I've been unable to find any clear rules about this when it comes to bike/walking paths. I'm specifically referring to the type south of 44 where they are separate from the MMPs.

I don't think there are clear rules. We ebike in the walking paths. We try to be extra considerate of the walkers. We clearly announce "Two safely passing on your left." We then pass at an acceptable speed of around 10 mph. Otherwise, we travel at 15 mph which is slower than the golf carts. We always try to remember, we intimate walkers the way golf carts intimidate us.

Fyi - There's several previous threads on this topic.

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...trails-342136/

Please differentiate between an e-bike and "regular bike that is battery assisted"? I think they are both ebikes....

From what I have seen in the Florida statutes, ebikes are considered bicycles for all purposes.

The statutes do allow some local ordinances restricting ebike use but only in limited cases and I haven't ever seen any Sumter, Lake, Leesburg, or Wildwood ordinances cited in these threads.

What isn't clear to me is what differentiates an ebike from a moped. The definition of a moped would seem to describe ebikes too. NOTE: I'm not questioning whether the OP's is an ebike.

10 to 15 MPH on a walking path seems a little fast to me, that doesn't leave much time for a walker to react to your coming around them especially if they have a leashed dog to contend with.

Most regular bicycles travel at 15-20 mph, so if you're walking facing traffic so you can see what's coming at you, you should have no problems.

We slow down when coming up behind a walker. We give our bell a 'ding' when we are within 50 feet. We have a louder electric horn that we sound when coming out of a tunnel- or when cars and carts pull out in front of us- which they do every time we ride. Every time we ride our bikes in the roundabouts golf carts either don't see us or pretend they don't and they nearly hit us.

I was referring to Lulinn's reply stating that they slow down to 10MPH when passing someone from behind. That is too fast.

An e-bike has a maximum 750W motor and needs to meet the classifications.

Class 1: Pedal assist only, up to 20mph
Class 2: Pedal assist or throttle, up to 20mph
Class 3: Pedal assist only, up to 28mph

As the OP stated it has a throttle, to be legal it should not be able to exceed 20mph.

If it does not meet these requirements it is a motor vehicle and not (legally) allowed on any walking / cycling paths, MMP's or diamond lanes but of course there are plenty of "golf cars" that don't meet the legal requirements either.

To the OP's question. If you keep the speed down on these paths and be respectful when passing walkers, I think you'll minimize the negative impressions.

Proper Villager etiquette requires you to scowl at any ebikes, bicycles, or golf carts you may discover using your walking path, and complain loudly on TOV.

And of, course, if you happen to encounter any walkers inconsiderately using your golf cart, bicycle, or ebike path for walking, the opposite etiquette applies!

Bikes and golf carts should limit themselves to 20 mph on the MMPs.

That's the speed limit UNLESS posted less, like crossing Morse Blvd (Lake Sumter) bridges and paths marked 10mph. These are very narrow lanes and golf carts have a tough time staying in their lanes at above 10. Slow down.
And often there are very narrow single lane ONEways. Slow down. No passing (Florida state law - minimum 3 feet of clearance between a motorized vehicle from bikes and pedestrians).

Not very often I ride somewhere with bikes and walkers only (like the Hogshead Trail).
When I do, I slow considerably, and assume walkers have the right-of-way.
Only fair.

Yes, if you are driving like a maniac, I can see why walkers would be PO'd.

Just like I'm PO'd when a golf cart passes me like a maniac on the MMPs, way over 20mph.
It is not your personal race track. Needs to be more policing yeah the maniac-inconsiderate will love that one .

I was told to be considered a "bike" and be able to follow the bike rules, it had to be pedal assist. If it does not REQUIRE pedal assist to operate, it is not considered a bike under the Florida Statue. Without requiring pedaling, it falls into the definition of a scooter which are not allowed on bike paths.

You were told wrong.

The classes listed are from the definition of an ebike in the Florida statutes. Class 2 does NOT REQUIRE pedal assist yet is still considered an ebike in Florida.

Yes, that is a summary of the Florida definition of the classes of ebiks.

My question was how is a moped not an ebike? Perhaps an electric drive system makes it an ebike while a gasoline engine would make it a moped but that wasn't clear to me.

Easy search of google: "The federal speed limit for eBikes is 20 miles per hour or less under motor power alone. The tiered classification system, adopted by many states, also specifies this speed limit. That classification sets 20 miles per hour as the legal limit for Class 1 & 2 bikes."

Class 3 is fairly new. Since mopeds have forever been limited to <30 MPH, I would assume Class 3 ebikes should be considered mopeds.
Moped - state license plate required.
For use on the city streets with other traffic.
(btw: the pedals on mopeds are mostly for starting, or a slow-chugalug when out of gas)

I am still capable of riding my bike at 20mph, but usually cruise at ~15. Some of the ebikes are passing me BIG-time. I'd guess ~30 mph.
No they do not belong on walking paths, nor the MMPs unless they can hold it to 20 MPH like the golf carts should do.

Why is everyone in such a damn hurry here? Do you know where your next stop in life is?
I'm in no hurry to get there.
Take time to smell the roses.

I don't know of any mopeds that are restricted to 20mph or less and have an output of maximum 750W (1hp).

If a bicycle going past you at 10mph is "too fast" suggest you stay home. The non mmps paths are for walkers and bikers, neither has superior rights over the other.

I ride many paths outside TV like Santos, Baseline trail, Withlacoochee etc. These all allow walkers bikes bikes etc. It is usually the walkers that cause problems, such as walking 3 or 4 abreast and hogging the path, walking on wrong side of path (these paths all have signs to keep right) or they are walking untrained dogs that lunge as you ride by. I always ring my bell but amazingly, about half of them step to their left. Anyway, if bikes passing you on 15 foot wide paths is too scary maybe invest in a treadmill.

Mopeds (considered 49CC or less) require licensed plates therefore not allowed on MMP. On other hand electric bikes allowed even though don’t have to pedal them but has the ability to pedal, the don’t require licensing so good to go. :gc:

In Florida, people can ride e-bikes anywhere human-powered bikes can, such as bike lanes, multi-use paths, streets, and sidewalks.

Lots of ebikes on the walking trails behind my house. Even a motorized skateboarder with a boom box that goes faster than any golf cart. So no rules I guess. Just be careful Mostly walkers on these paths.

Walking and bikes
 

If you choose to walk on any paths with your back to traffic you have automatic entry for the Darwin awards.

Speaking as one run over by a bike I always want to see any kind of traffic coming at me.

Walking on the left makes sense.

The O.P. was asking about ebike on the WALKING paths, which are defined differently than the MMPs (multi modal paths)....these are specifically designed for walking only while the MMPs are for all vehicles (under 35mph)

South of Rt 44 are dedicated walking paths, pathways including bicycles, and the MMPs

Map: http://https://cdn2.thevillages.com/...WEB_042021.jpg

So we need a definition now for Walking Path? What part of walking is confusing?

fyi: "mopeds" are gas powered vehicles. Usually somewhat noisy, with exhaust smells and sometimes visible exhaust.
Cheap run-around-town vehicles very common years ago, especially with high schoolers.

It is just logical that if golf carts are limited to 20 MPH everywhere; then any other vehicle allowed on the MMPs should be limited to 20 MPH, and everywhere else.

There is no logic to that at all.

Walking is physically limited to less thsn 5moh. Is it therefore logical that any other mode of transportation using the MMP should be limited to 5mph?

It really seems like "share the path" should be adequate.

Here's from TV website:
https://www.talkofthevillages.com/fo...te=1&p=2326652

So bikes are allowed on the pedestrian walkways.
Hogeye Preserve Pathway is considered a "pedestrian path", but look at bottom of the webpage where it shows what modes of traffic allowed.

I sympathize with the walkers, the bikes should not be using it like a racecourse, it is a nature trail for enjoying the calm and scenery.
If bikes feel the need for a bell or horn, both are in the wrong.

Walkers should always walk facing opposing traffic. Didn't you learn anything in grade school, and Boy/Girl Scouts ?

http://https://www.thevillages.com/w...-preserve-path

Yeah, everyone wants to do 30+ in a golf cart.

There are signs at every entrance to The Villages that paraphrased say; 'if no speed limit is posted, the speed limit is 20 MPH.'


Also, senior eyesight not so good, you should slow-down. (not posted, just logical)

On walking paths protocol is to walk on the right. There are a few rebels who insist on the left but they’re walking against everyone else. Husband and I joke that they must be European. Point is bikes come up from behind.

Mopeds are designed to be used with a throttle. The pedal functions primarily as the method to start the engine, and secondarily as places to put your feet while you ride. While they CAN be pedaled, they weigh too much and are too top-heavy for pedaling them to be practical for anything other than emergencies (walking it a few blocks to the nearest gas station when it runs out of gas, or rolling it up a ramp onto the back of a pickup truck.). In the state of Florida they are categorized with motorcycles if they're 50ccs or more, and as scooters if they're under 50ccs.

When you're on a pedestrian path, you ARE the traffic. Just like when you're on a sidewalk, you ARE the traffic. On an MMP, you share the road, but cars are not allowed. You MIGHT be the traffic, on an MMP. On a city street, the cars are the traffic.

You are referring to the signs on the public highways, right? Logically, those signs apply to traffic on the streets. The only signs I remember seeing on the MMPs are the few 10mph signs such as the one crossing the bridge at Lake Sumter.

Are those seniors with poor eyesight the same ones driving automobiles 40mph down Morse and 80mph on the turnpike? If their eyesight is good enough for that...

No you got it wrong. Over 20 mph is dangerous mode so with a lot of yeps driving to next tee times.

Say same thing about electric bikes.

Rather than asking here and getting OPINIONS you can ask the police. Our police are very helpful-not the enemy.
I ride a bike, drive a gold cart and a car. Sadly we tend to notice the fools-not the good drivers.
They used to have a scheduled meeting at the Savanna Center with the police where you could ask these questions-perhaps they still do.

LOGIC, REALITY. You have total control over what you do. BUT, others .........

I am not sure I understand, as a motorcycle, scooter, moped rider… why should any powered bikes be allowed on a “walking” trail? I know you have a great deal of control on these machines, can fit into tight places, and swerve easily - but their possible speed and weight in an unobservant moment, can make them quite dangerous.

An intersection on hwy 40 in Ocala was just reconfigured. The intersecting road (14th St.) now has a narrow bike lane in the middle of two vehicle lanes???

The paths are designed for Villages residents to enjoy the active senior lifestyle and get healthy outdoor exercise. My opinion, which certainly isn’t an opinion dictated by technical legalities, is that e bikes without a throttle, and are pedal assist only, are perfectly acceptable. Once you add a throttle to a bike, I believe it crosses the line of not really being a bicycle.