Electric Motorcycles and E-Bikes are Not the Same – Citizens Voice Concerns and Second Public Workshop Planned
E-Bikes are in great demand along 30A, and with plans to build more biking trails throughout Walton County, there is concern that path-sharing etiquette, safety measures, and potential speed limits need to be addressed by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC). At the July 14 BCC meeting, an announcement was made promoting a Public Meeting to be held on Tuesday, July 28, at (TIME) at the (PLACE), for citizens to meet again to discuss this very heated issue.
South Walton and 30A are not the only places where e-bikes are popular, but biking overall is very popular, and pedestrians share the same path (on 30A) as bikers. Very few places on the 30A pedestrian/bike path (in white lettering on the trail) remind bikers to let pedestrians know that the rider is approaching and “passing on the left.” This is a friendly warning to pedestrians, a nd Mid Bay News has noticed that bikers are not in the habit of saying, “On Your Left.” When a bike is passing on a crowded bike path, or passing at 15+ miles per hour, the path can feel crowded and dangerous. Courtesy and building community can be as easy as saying those three words…” On your Left…Have a good day!”
There are several concerns that local citizens have regarding e-bikes, and Commissioner Donna Johns (District 4) requested that a YouTube video be played for the Commissioners and those citizens present for an interview with Dr. Meghan Martin, a pediatric emergency medicine doctor. In the video interview, Dr. Martin expressed concern for the Tampa Bay community, where she is on staff at Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital. She said that the hospital is seeing a significant increase in e-bike and e-scooter accidents. But Martin emphasized that one of the biggest issues young riders are facing could be minimized with two basic and easy steps of protection. The first is a helmet for every rider, and surprisingly, wearing shoes. So many serious injuries could be avoided with a bike helmet and shoes.
County Engineer Provides Information for Bringing Citizens “Up to Speed”
Chance Powell, Walton County Engineer, spoke to the BCC and encouraged citizens to attend the upcoming public meeting on July 28. Powell also directed those interested in participating in the discussion to visit the Engineering Department website at https://www.mywaltonfl.gov/1401/Engineering-Department. Once reaching the page, click on the tab titled: “E-Bike Workshop and Public Survey Report.” his link provides information on the Walton County Proposed Draft Ordinance and the results of a survey that was used to collect data, share concerns for the community, and provide suggestions for maintaining a safe environment on roads, sidewalks, paths, and trails. Powell said the information will be attached to the formal agenda forthcoming. Still, he added, “…it might help [to] get some better feedback from the [upcoming] public meeting [if interested citizens review the available information in advance.]
Missing Information and Inconsistencies Lead to Frustration on 30A
The twenty-four-mile trail that runs from one end of 30A to the other results in many challenges for pedestrians and cyclists. In many places, the path is 4 to 5 feet wide, and in other sections of the path (from Watercolor to the West and Seaside/Seagrove to the East), the paved path is more narrow – the width of a neighborhood sidewalk. As mentioned earlier, biker/pedestrian etiquette for staying to the right except when passing or providing a verbal warning [“Passing on Your Left”], along with proposed maximum speed within 50 feet of pedestrians, is not stated. What should the speed be for a biker who is within 50 feet of a pedestrian? Many say the 30A path is wonderful for pedestrians and cyclists. Still, it is clear to many that an e-moto [electric motorcycle] that can accelerate between 30-50+ miles per hour is a cause for concern and is different from both a bicycle and an e-bike. Interestingly enough, other destinations also post signs indicating that LSVs (golf carts) are not allowed on the pedestrian/bike path. This is not the standard practice in Walton County, and it is not uncommon to see an LSV on 30A bike pedestrian/bike paths.
Powell emphasized a couple of highlights that were received from the first public gathering and the online questionnaire. First, Powell shared that E-motos are being confused with E-bikes. He said, “I think there are some parents out there buying some e-motos. They’re seeing e-bikes and other e-motos on the multi-use path and in the public parks, and it looks like it is okay. And you know, I think there are parents out here buying e-motos, and these things [e-motos] are running 30, 40 miles an hour, and they have no idea that it’s either supposed to be registered – to be operated on public right-of-ways- or it’s off-road use only.”
What Is That? It’s An Electric Motorcycle.
What is an e-moto? “An e-moto (short for “electric moto”) is a lightweight, high-performance two-wheeled vehicle driven by an electric motor, functioning more like a motorized dirt bike than a traditional bicycle. They typically weigh over 100 lbs, feature high-torque motors exceeding 3 kW, and reach top speeds of 30 to 60+ mph. www.voromotors.com
Key Differences: E-Moto vs. E-Bike
The most critical difference between an e-moto and a legal electric bicycle comes down to mechanics, power, and legal classification. (https://www.peopleforbikes.org/news/the-e-bike-problem-is-an-e-moto-problem)
| Feature | Legal E-Bike | E-Moto (Electric Dirt Bike) |
| Propulsion | Requires functional pedals; motor only assists up to 20–28 mph. | Uses foot pegs; no functional pedals (throttled twist or thumb). |
| Motor Power | 750 Watts or less. | Usually 3,000W to 15,000W+ (high acceleration). |
| Where to Ride | Bike lanes, trails, and streets. | Off-road, private property, or public roads only if registered as a motorcycle. |
| Legal Status | Treated as a bicycle (no license/registration needed). | Treated as a motor vehicle (requires driver’s license, insurance, and registration). |
