ORLANDO, Fla. – Orlando leaders are taking a closer look at how to manage the growing presence of e-bikes and e-scooters after Police Chief Eric Smith said officers have logged more than 800 incidents involving e-mobility devices since the start of 2026.
Smith joined the city’s transportation department director at a workshop Monday, where they briefed Orlando city commissioners as officials consider whether new rules are needed to regulate e-bike and e-scooter use across the city.
According to Smith, many of the cases reviewed by police have pointed back to riders on electric bikes. “Most of the incidents that we’re having, the e-bikes are found to have been at fault,” he told commissioners.
The police chief said the department has recorded 813 encounters tied to e-mobility devices since Jan. 1, 2026. That total includes 46 injury crashes and 12 hit-and-run cases involving a minor.
Commissioner Patty Sheehan voiced frustration over what she described as groups of young riders creating problems. “These kids just don’t care,” Sheehan said. “They’re in packs and once they get in that pack mentality, it seems like they’re just out for trouble.”
Among the options discussed, Sheehan appeared to support a potential ordinance that would prohibit e-bikes from being ridden on sidewalks, a move aimed at improving pedestrian safety in Orlando.
Assistant City Attorney Michael Filteau said a sidewalk ban could offer a straightforward path for both the public and law enforcement. He described it as “very easy to enforce and understand.”
Filteau cautioned commissioners against creating e-bike regulations that may be too complicated to apply consistently, including rules that vary by e-bike classification or restrictions based on a rider’s age.
Commissioner Shan Rose said city leaders need to do a better job at reaching young people when talking about e-bikes and e-scooters.
“I think we need to do a full education campaign,” Rose suggested.
By the end of the workshop, Orlando Mayor Buddy Dyer suggested commissioners wait and see how Orange County students adapt to the school district’s new rules pertaining to e-mobility devices, before adopting any ordinance.
