Motorized Bicycles

Question

George asked: want to know if there’s a specific electric 2-wheeled moped or scooter I can drive without a license? Does it go by a certain amount of watts? Speed? Does it have to have pedals? And can it be driven on the road? Bicycle lane? Or sidewalk?

The only vehicle you can operate on the roads, including bike lanes, without a driver’s license is a human powered vehicle or an eBike, if it meets the statutory definition of a bicycle.

s. 316.003 – Definitions

(3) Bicycle – Every vehicle propelled solely by human power, and every motorized bicycle propelled by a combination of human power and an electric helper motor capable of propelling the vehicle at a speed of not more than 20 miles per hour on level ground upon which any person may ride, having two tandem wheels, and including any device generally recognized as a bicycle though equipped with two front or two rear wheels. The term does not include such a vehicle with a seat height of no more than 25 inches from the ground when the seat is adjusted to its highest position or a scooter or similar device. A person under the age of 16 may not operate or ride upon a motorized bicycle.

Mopeds and motor scooters must be registered and require the operator to have a driver’s license.

Only vehicles operated solely by human power can be operated on sidewalks, with few exceptions.

s. 316.1995Driving upon Sidewalk or Bicycle Path

(1) Except as provided in s. 316.008 or s. 316.212(8), a person may not drive any vehicle other than by human power upon a bicycle path, sidewalk, or sidewalk area, except upon a permanent or duly authorized temporary driveway.

(3) This section does not apply to motorized wheelchairs

12 Comments on “Motorized Bicycles

  1. As I always say…
    Do you have a specific vehicle in mind? If you give us a particular ebike/scooter type to look at, we can give you a definitive answer.

    • As to a specific.. I am considering the Jetson electric bike. 500 watt 48 volts 17 ah. looks like a moped/vespa but has pedals. and does not exceed 20 mph.

    • Okay, so these motor kits installed on a bicycle. Is it mandatory to have a license in Florida. Gas powered.

    • Thanks, I appreciate the reply. In re- reading they above, my next ? would be, I have bike lanes on the road all around my house. Is this what their referring to as bike path? Or is that something else…

  2. Shawn,

    Although our readers are very helpful in these matters, I recommend taking the Florida statutory bicycle definition above to the dealer and asking them to confirm to your satisfaction that your vehicle meets those requirements.

    A bike lane is a part of the roadway. Vehicles that are required to keep right may/must use the bike lane under certain circumstances. See other posts on this site for the details and applicable laws.

    A bike path is separate from the roadway and, along with sidewalks, may be used only by operators of human powered vehicles, with few exceptions. See other posts for the details.

    • I have spoken with the manufacturers mentioned here and their electric bicycles are legal in Floridian standards.

  3. Would like to ask everyone this question!!! Can a, very responsible, 12yr. old boy that looks 18 or 19yrs, old ride a, HUFFY FRESNO 26″ BEACH CRUISER, with an electric assist front-wheel-drive-motor, with all the new safety features, ride this bike on city secondary streets around his own neighborhood and NEVER on a major thru-way??? Thanks for alls help, Jose1

  4. Fletcher,

    No. See the definition above.

    ” A person under the age of 16 may not operate or ride upon a motorized bicycle.”

  5. What about the Gigabyke Groove 48V 750W 2.0; I can’t get a drivers license, nor do I want anything to be registerd in Florida. Hoping to find this model meets the Florida Motorized Bicycles. Thanks, John

    • Yes, that’s good too. .BUT YOU HAVE TO LEAVE THE PEDALS ON….
      The second you take the pedals off, it becomes a scooter .
      I know people like to take the pedals off, because they think the pedals “looks stupid” but they need to stay on to keep it legal.

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