Florida 2026 Session Status: Introduced Bipartisan · 11 D · 10 R cosponsors

HB 243 — CS/HB 243: Electric Bicycles

Last action — Laid on Table

  1. 1
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed House
  4. 4
    Passed Senate
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill has been introduced in the House. Introduced October 22, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.

Next likely step: a committee referral and hearing.

Odds of enactment

Low chance

Based on the sponsor, cosponsors, and committee posture, this bill has a low chance of becoming law.

Upgrade to see the exact probability and what's driving it.

A statistical estimate from our own model of past outcomes — an insight, not a guarantee. Policymaking is volatile.

Prognosis

Advancing 54% · moderate confidence

  • Introduced

    Current position in the legislative process.

  • 22 sponsors

    1 primary, 21 co-sponsors signed on.

  • Bipartisan support

    Sponsored across 2 parties (11 D · 10 R) — cross-party backing.

  • Cleared a recorded vote

    Passed 3 recorded votes so far.

Based on stage, sponsorship breadth, committee status, recorded votes, and cross-state momentum — a description of the observable signals, not a prediction.

Summary

Electric Bicycles; Provides requirements for operation of electric bicycles; provides penalties; creates Electric Bicycle Safety Task Force adjunct to DHSMV & provides requirements therefor; requires certain reports to Governor & Legislature by specified dates.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

157 added · 284 removed

157 line(s) added, 284 removed.

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F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 243 2026 A bill to be entitled An act relating to electric bicycles, scooters, and motorcycles;
F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 243 2026 A bill to be entitled An act relating to electric bicycles;
316.003, F.S.;
defining the term "electric motorcycle";
revising the definition of the term "motorcycle";
amending ss.
316.066 and 316.068, F.S.;
requiring certain crash reports to include specified information;
amending s.
316.069, F.S.;
requiring the state to maintain certain statistics;
amending s.
providing penalties for knowingly modifying an electric bicycle;
providing requirements for the operation of electric bicycles;
prohibiting a person from operating a class 3 electric bicycle without a certain license;
providing requirements for such operation;
amending s.
creating s.
316.2085, F.S.;
316.20658, F.S.;
prohibiting certain persons from operating certain motorcycles;
creating the Electric Bicycle Safety Task Force adjunct to the Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles;
amending ss.
requiring the department to provide staff to assist the task force;
320.01 and 322.01, F.S.;
providing the purpose of the task force;
revising the definition of the term "motorcycle";
providing for the membership of the task force and the appointment of task force members;
amending s.
providing a timeline in which appointments must be made and the manner in which vacancies on the task force must be filled;
322.1615, F.S.;
requiring that the task force convene within a specified timeframe;
revising requirements for a certain learner's driver license education course;
providing requirements for the time and location of the task force meetings;
amending s.
providing for members of the task force to be reimbursed for per diem and travel expenses;
322.12, F.S.;
requiring a report to the Governor and Legislature by a specified date;
requiring a minimum number of questions in the test bank for a Class E driver license to cover safe electric bicycle and motorized scooter operation;
providing for the expiration of the task force;
amending ss.
providing for future repeal;
316.306 and 655.960, F.S.;
requiring certain law enforcement agencies to maintain certain statistics during a specified timeframe;
correcting cross-references;
requiring certain law enforcement agencies to submit a report to the department by a specified date;
providing an effective date.
requiring the Page 1 of 6 CODING:
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hb243-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 243 2026 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
hb243-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 243 2026 department to submit a report to the Governor and Legislature by a specified date;
providing effective dates.
Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
Subsections (24) through (112) of section 316.003, Florida Statutes, are renumbered as subsections (25) through (113), respectively, present subsections (47) and (65) are amended, and a new subsection (24) is added to that section, to read:
Effective July 1, 2026, subsection (10) is added to section 316.20655, Florida Statutes, to read:
316.003 Definitions.—The following words and phrases, when used in this chapter, shall have the meanings respectively ascribed to them in this section, except where the context otherwise requires:
316.20655 Electric bicycle regulations.— (10)(a) A person operating an electric bicycle on a shared pathway that is not located adjacent to a roadway, including a shared pathway located in a park or recreational area, must yield to any pedestrian and must give an audible signal before overtaking and passing such pedestrian.
(24) ELECTRIC MOTORCYCLE.—Any motorcycle powered by an electric motor of 750 watts or more that is capable of a speed greater than 28 miles per hour.
(b) A person operating an electric bicycle on a sidewalk or any other area designated for pedestrian use may not operate an electric bicycle at a speed greater than 10 miles per hour when a pedestrian is within 50 feet of the electric bicycle.
(48)(47) MOTORCYCLE.—Any motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.
(c) A person who fails to comply with this subsection commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.
The term includes an electric motorcycle and an autocycle, but does not include a tractor, a moped, an electric bicycle, or any vehicle in which the operator is enclosed by a cabin unless it meets the requirements set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a motorcycle.
(66)(65) PRIVATE ROAD OR DRIVEWAY.—Except as otherwise provided in paragraph (91)(b) (90)(b), any privately owned way or place used for vehicular travel by the owner and those having Page 2 of 11 CODING:
Show all 172 changed rows (132 more)
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Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb243-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 243 2026 express or implied permission from the owner, but not by other persons.
Paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1) of section 316.066, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
Section 316.20658, Florida Statutes, is created to read:
316.066 Written reports of crashes.— (1) (b) The Florida Traffic Crash Report, Long Form must include:
316.20658 Electric Bicycle Safety Task Force.— (1) CREATION.—The Electric Bicycle Safety Task Force, a Page 2 of 6 CODING:
1.
The date, time, and location of the crash.
2.
A description of the vehicles involved, including whether the crash involved a motorized scooter, an electric bicycle, or an electric motorcycle.
3.
The names and addresses of the parties involved, including all drivers and passengers, and the identification of the vehicle in which each was a driver or a passenger.
4.
The names and addresses of witnesses.
5.
The name, badge number, and law enforcement agency of the officer investigating the crash.
6.
The names of the insurance companies for the respective parties involved in the crash.
(c) In any crash for which a Florida Traffic Crash Report, Long Form is not required by this section and which occurs on the public roadways of this state, the law enforcement officer shall complete a short-form crash report or provide a driver exchange-of-information form, to be completed by all drivers and Page 3 of 11 CODING:
hb243-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 243 2026 passengers involved in the crash, which requires the identification of each vehicle that the drivers and passengers were in.
hb243-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 243 2026 task force as defined in s.
The short-form report must include:
20.03(5), is created adjunct to the department.
The department shall provide administrative and staff support services related to the functions of the task force.
(2) PURPOSE.—The purpose of the task force is to examine and recommend improvements to state law and the regulatory framework governing electric bicycles in order to encourage the safe operation of electric bicycles and to prevent traffic incidents, injuries, and fatalities involving such bicycles.
(3) MEMBERSHIP;
MEETINGS.— (a) The task force shall be composed of the executive director of the department, or his or her designee;
the Secretary of Transportation, or his or her designee;
and the following members, who shall be appointed by the executive director:
The date, time, and location of the crash.
A representative from the Florida Sheriffs Association.
A description of the vehicles involved, including whether the crash involved a motorized scooter, an electric bicycle, or an electric motorcycle.
A representative from the Florida Police Chiefs Association.
The names and addresses of the parties involved, including all drivers and passengers, and the identification of the vehicle in which each was a driver or a passenger.
A representative from the electric bicycle industry.
The names and addresses of witnesses.
A representative from the Florida League of Cities.
The name, badge number, and law enforcement agency of the officer investigating the crash.
A representative from the Florida Association of Counties.
The names of the insurance companies for the respective parties involved in the crash.
A representative from the medical field with experience in treating bicyclist and pedestrian injuries.
Section 3.
7.
Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 316.068, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
A representative from an organization involved in Page 3 of 6 CODING:
316.068 Crash report forms.— (2) Every crash report required to be made in writing must be made on the appropriate form approved by the department and must contain all the information required therein, including:
(b) A description of the vehicles involved, including whether the crash involved a motorized scooter, an electric bicycle, or an electric motorcycle;
Page 4 of 11 CODING:
hb243-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 243 2026 unless not available.
hb243-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 243 2026 efforts to prevent injuries and fatalities involving bicycles, including electric bicycles.
A member of a railroad train crew or a passenger on a railroad train is not a passenger for purposes of this section.
(b) Appointments to the task force shall be made within 15 days after this act becomes a law.
In the event of a crash involving a railroad train, a member of the railroad train crew must furnish the information in paragraphs (a), (b), (c), and (e) and, upon request of the law enforcement officer having jurisdiction to investigate the crash, the railroad train engineer's or conductor's federal certification pursuant to 49 C.F.R.
(c) The executive director of the department, or his or her designee, shall chair the task force, and a vacancy on the task force shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment.
part 240 or part 242.
(d) The task force shall convene no later than 30 days after this act becomes a law.
The absence of information in such written crash reports regarding the existence of passengers in the motor vehicles involved in the crash constitutes a rebuttable presumption that no such passengers were involved in the reported crash.
The task force shall meet at least monthly but may meet more frequently at the call of the chair.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this section, a crash report produced electronically by a law enforcement officer must, at a minimum, contain the same information as is called for on those forms approved by the department.
At least one meeting of the task force shall occur in each of the following regions of this state:
Section 4.
North Florida, Central Florida, and South Florida.
Section 316.069, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
All meetings shall be held at the time and place designated by the chair.
316.069 State to tabulate and analyze crash reports.—The state shall tabulate and may analyze all crash reports and shall publish, annually, or at more frequent intervals, statistical information based thereon as to the number and circumstances of traffic crashes.
(e) Members of the task force shall serve without compensation but shall be entitled to receive reimbursement for per diem and travel expenses pursuant to s.
The state shall maintain separate statistics on the number and location of crashes involving tandem trailer Page 5 of 11 CODING:
112.061.
(4) REPORT.—The task force shall prepare a report that includes legislative recommendations for improvements to state law and the regulatory framework governing electric bicycles.
The report should take into account methods to improve traffic safety for electric bicycle operators and riders, pedestrians, and other vehicle operators through reasonable measures designed to reduce traffic incidents, injuries, and fatalities.
Page 4 of 6 CODING:
hb243-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 243 2026 trucks, motorized scooters, electric bicycles, and electric motorcycles.
hb243-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 243 2026 (a) Before October 1, 2026, the task force shall submit the report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
Section 5.
(b) Upon submission of the report, the task force shall expire.
Subsections (3) and (4) of section 316.20655, Florida Statutes, are amended, and subsections (10) and (11) are added to that section, to read:
(5) REPEAL.—This section is repealed October 1, 2026.
316.20655 Electric bicycle regulations.— (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.
Section 3.
The label must contain the classification number, top assisted speed, and motor wattage of the electric bicycle.
(1) Beginning 30 days after this act becomes a law, the Florida Highway Patrol and each police department and sheriff's office in this state must maintain a list of all the traffic crashes that each respective agency investigates which involve an 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.
Each electric bicycle crash must be included in the list regardless of whether the crash is reported on a long or short form traffic crash report or a driver exchange-of-information form.
Any person who knowingly modifies an electric bicycle as provided in this subsection commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of $100.
Each entry in the list must contain the following information concerning each traffic crash involving an electric bicycle:
Any person who commits a second or subsequent violation of this subsection within 3 years after a previous violation commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable by a fine of $250, unless the label indicating the classification number required in subsection (3) is replaced after such modification.
(a) The date and time of the crash.
(10)(a) A person may not operate or rent a class 3 electric bicycle unless he or she possesses a valid learner's driver license or driver license.
(b) The class of electric bicycle involved in the crash.
An operator of a class 3 electric bicycle must have his or her learner's driver license Page 6 of 11 CODING:
(c) The age of the electric bicycle operator involved in the crash.
(d) If known, whether the electric bicycle operator possessed a valid Florida learner's driver license or driver license at the time of the crash.
(2) By October 15, 2026, each police department and sheriff's office in this state must submit a report to the Page 5 of 6 CODING:
hb243-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 243 2026 or driver license on his or her immediate possession at all times when operating a class 3 electric bicycle and must present or submit the same upon demand of a law enforcement officer or an authorized representative of the department.
hb243-01-c1 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S CS/HB 243 2026 Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles which contains a list of all electric bicycle crashes investigated by each agency from the beginning of the reporting period through September 30, 2026.
(b) A person who fails to comply with paragraph (a) must first receive a verbal warning.
The information must be submitted in a form and manner determined by the department.
Following the verbal warning, a person who fails to comply with paragraph (a) commits a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a nonmoving violation as provided in chapter 318.
(3) By October 31, 2026, the department must submit a report to the Governor, the President of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House of Representatives summarizing the reports submitted to the department pursuant to subsection (2) and include in the report the list maintained by the Florida Highway Patrol.
(11) A person operating an electric bicycle on a shared pathway that is not located adjacent to a roadway, including a shared pathway located in a park or recreational area, must yield to pedestrians and must give an audible signal before overtaking and passing a pedestrian.
The report must separate the electric bicycle crash data by county, listing the reporting law enforcement agencies within each county.
Section 6.
Section 4.
Paragraph (a) of subsection (6) of section 316.2085, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
Except as otherwise expressly provided in this act, this act shall take effect upon becoming a law.
316.2085 Riding on motorcycles or mopeds.— (6) A person under 16 years of age may not:
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(a) Operate a motorcycle that has a motor with more than 150 cubic centimeters displacement or an electric motor of 750 watts or more.
Section 7.
Subsection (26) of section 320.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
320.01 Definitions, general.—As used in the Florida Statutes, except as otherwise provided, the term:
Page 7 of 11 CODING:
hb243-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 243 2026 (26) "Motorcycle" means any motor vehicle having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground.
hb243-01-c1
The term includes an electric motorcycle and an autocycle, as those terms are defined in s.
316.003, but excludes a tractor, a moped, or any vehicle in which the operator is enclosed by a cabin unless it meets the requirements set forth by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a motorcycle.
Section 8.
Subsection (28) of section 322.01, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
322.01 Definitions.—As used in this chapter:
(28) "Motorcycle" means a motor vehicle powered by a motor with a displacement of more than 50 cubic centimeters, having a seat or saddle for the use of the rider, and designed to travel on not more than three wheels in contact with the ground, but excluding a tractor, tri-vehicle, or moped.
The term includes an electric motorcycle as defined in s.
316.003.
Section 9.
Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section 322.1615, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
322.1615 Learner's driver license.— (1) The department may issue a learner's driver license to a person who is at least 15 years of age and who:
(c) Has satisfactorily completed a driver education course approved by the department which meets or exceeds the Department of Education Driver Education/Traffic Safety-Classroom 1900300 Page 8 of 11 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb243-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 243 2026 course version description and which includes content on sharing the road with bicycles, including electric bicycles, motorized scooters, and other vulnerable road users;
and Section 10.
Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section 322.12, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
322.12 Examination of applicants.— (3) For an applicant for a Class E driver license, such examination shall include all of the following:
(c) A test of the applicant's ability to read and understand highway signs regulating, warning, and directing traffic;
his or her knowledge of the traffic laws of this state, including laws regulating driving under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances, driving with an unlawful blood-alcohol level, and driving while intoxicated;
and his or her knowledge of the effects of alcohol and controlled substances upon persons and the dangers of driving a motor vehicle while under the influence of alcohol or controlled substances.
At least 25 questions within the bank of test questions must address bicycle and pedestrian safety.
At least five of the 25 questions addressing bicycle and pedestrian safety must specifically cover safe electric bicycle and motorized scooter operation for all road users.
Section 11.
Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 316.306, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
316.306 School and work zones;
prohibition on the use of a Page 9 of 11 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb243-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 243 2026 wireless communications device in a handheld manner.— (3)(a)1.
A person may not operate a motor vehicle while using a wireless communications device in a handheld manner in a designated school crossing, school zone, or work zone area as defined in s.
316.003 s.
316.003(112).
This subparagraph applies shall only be applicable to work zone areas if construction personnel are present or are operating equipment on the road or immediately adjacent to the work zone area.
For the purposes of this paragraph, a motor vehicle that is stationary is not being operated and is not subject to the prohibition in this paragraph.
2.
Effective January 1, 2020, A law enforcement officer may stop motor vehicles and issue citations to persons who are driving while using a wireless communications device in a handheld manner in violation of subparagraph 1.
Section 12.
Subsection (1) of section 655.960, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
655.960 Definitions;
ss.
655.960-655.965.—As used in this section and ss.
655.961-655.965, unless the context otherwise requires:
(1) "Access area" means any paved walkway or sidewalk which is within 50 feet of any automated teller machine.
The term does not include any street or highway open to the use of the public, as defined in s.
316.003(91)(a) or (b) s.
316.003(90)(a) or (b), including any adjacent sidewalk, as Page 10 of 11 CODING:
Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb243-00 F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S HB 243 2026 defined in s.
316.003.
Section 13.
This act shall take effect July 1, 2027.
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Words stricken are deletions;
words underlined are additions.
hb243-00
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Action History

  1. Laid on Table

  2. Added to Second Reading Calendar

  3. Temporarily postponed, on 2nd Reading

  4. Bill added to Special Order Calendar (2/17/2026)

  5. Added to Second Reading Calendar

  6. Bill released to House Calendar

  7. Reported out of State Affairs Committee

  8. Favorable by State Affairs Committee

  9. Added to State Affairs Committee agenda

  10. Now in State Affairs Committee

  11. Reported out of Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee

  12. Favorable by Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee

  13. Added to Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee agenda

  14. Now in Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee

  15. Referred to State Affairs Committee

  16. Referred to Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee

  17. 1st Reading (Committee Substitute 1)

  18. CS Filed

  19. Laid on Table under Rule 7.18(a)

  20. Reported out of Government Operations Subcommittee

  21. Favorable with CS by Government Operations Subcommittee

  22. PCS added to Government Operations Subcommittee agenda

  23. 1st Reading (Original Filed Version)

  24. Now in Government Operations Subcommittee

  25. Referred to State Affairs Committee

  26. Referred to Transportation & Economic Development Budget Subcommittee

  27. Referred to Government Operations Subcommittee

  28. Filed

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 21 co-sponsors · 142 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • Government Operations Subcommittee

Co-sponsors (21)

Not signed on (142)

142 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 142 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

public-safety transportation technology
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Frequently asked questions

What does HB 243 do?
Electric Bicycles; Provides requirements for operation of electric bicycles; provides penalties; creates Electric Bicycle Safety Task Force adjunct to DHSMV & provides requirements therefor; requires certain reports to Governor & Legislature by specified dates.
Who sponsors HB 243?
HB 243 is sponsored by Government Operations Subcommittee, Tant, Allison (Democrat), Spencer, Leonard (Democrat), Snyder, John (Republican), Rosenwald, Mitch (Democrat), Robinson, Felicia Simone (Democrat), Michael, Kiyan (Republican), López, Johanna (Democrat), Harris, Jennifer "Rita" (Democrat), Gossett-Seidman, Peggy (Republican), Gerwig, Anne (Republican), Eskamani, Dr. Anna V. (Democrat), Daley, Dan (Democrat), Cross, Lindsay (Democrat), Conerly, William "Bill" (Republican), Cobb, Nan (Republican), Blanco, Omar (Republican), Bartleman, Robin (Democrat), Barnaby, Webster (Republican), Benarroch, Yvette (Republican), Hunschofsky, Christine (Democrat), and Booth, Erika (Republican).
What is the current status of HB 243?
This bill has been introduced in the House. Introduced October 22, 2025. It must pass committee before a floor vote.
Where can I track HB 243?
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