E-Bike Crashes Skyrocket in St. Johns: Sheriff’s Office Takes Action

E-Bike Crashes Skyrocket in St. Johns: Sheriff’s Office Takes Action

The rise of e-bikes in St. Johns County has been nothing short of explosive, but so have the accidents involving them. The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office reports that e-bike crashes have doubled, increasing from 8 incidents in 2024 to 20 by June 11, 2025. Altogether, the office has responded to a staggering 209 e-bike incidents since the start of 2024, prompting serious concern among local officials and the community.

In just three weeks alone, the sheriff’s office tallied approximately 50 e-bike-related emergencies, more than double the number of incidents recorded during the first half of the year. Sheriff Robert Hardwick emphasized the growing trend of e-bike usage in the county’s suburbs, raising alarms about safety as riders, especially children, take to the streets.

Community Engagement and Safety Efforts

In response to this surge in e-bike crashes, the sheriff’s office is enhancing both enforcement and education efforts regarding e-bike safety. Deputy Gabe Bacolor is actively stopping young riders to explain the rules and distribute safety pamphlets. “It’s about education and engagement rather than penalizing kids for reckless riding,” said Sheriff Hardwick. The focus is clear: prevent serious injuries or fatalities among the youngest riders.

Unfortunately, recent incidents highlight the urgent need for these efforts. A 15-year-old was airlifted to a hospital after colliding with an Amazon delivery truck, and another young rider, aged 12, suffered severe injuries after falling off his e-bike without a helmet. These cases serve as stark reminders of the risks associated with high-speed e-bikes, which can reach speeds of up to 35 mph. The sheriff’s office is particularly on alert for „pegged“ e-bikes that have been modified to exceed legal limits, which are illegal on sidewalks.

State Initiatives and Future Directions

As concerns mount, local government actions are also in full swing. St. Johns County commissioners are working on a resolution to educate children and teens about the dangers of e-biking. This resolution is set to be revisited during the County Commission meeting on July 22. Moreover, a state measure recently signed by Governor Ron DeSantis allows local governments to set age requirements and mandate photo IDs for e-bike riders, which could further tighten regulations in response to safety concerns.

Adding to the apprehension surrounding e-bikes, researchers at UC San Francisco report that accidents related to micromobility—including e-bikes and electric scooters—are on the rise across the country. E-bicycle injuries alone doubled annually from 2017 to 2022. The latest findings reveal that while traditional bicycle injuries are significant, injuries from e-bikes and e-scooters have soared, amidst a surge in micromobility usage, which has risen 50-fold over the last decade. Notably, e-riders are often older and less likely to wear helmets, increasing their risk during accidents.

• Total injuries reported from 2017 to 2022:
• Regular bicycles: 2.5 million injuries
• e-Bicycles: 45,586 injuries
• e-Scooters: 189,517 injuries

As e-bikes become more integrated into everyday life, the need for improved infrastructure and educational campaigns is becoming ever more critical. It’s clear that riding an e-bike does come with risks, and local authorities are stepping up their efforts to ensure that tragedies can be prevented.

For further reading on the rise of e-bike accidents, check out News4Jax, which has covered the recent crash statistics, and SJCitizen for the sheriff’s latest proposals on safety measures. To explore broader trends regarding e-bike accidents across the nation, see the findings by UCSF.