Two Northwest Florida state parks are getting a new tool to help rangers navigate their grounds, reach remote areas and interact with visitors — and it comes without producing emissions.
The Florida State Parks Foundation announced last week that 25 new e-bikes will be distributed to state parks across Florida as part of its Greener Initiative. Two of the parks receiving the new bikes are in the region: Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park in Niceville and Shoal River Headwaters State Park in DeFuniak Springs.
The latest additions will bring the statewide fleet of e-bikes available to Florida State Parks rangers to 75 since the program began in 2024.
The rugged Velotric Nomad 2 Fat Tire e-bikes feature 750-watt motors, a range of up to 65 miles and a maximum payload of more than 500 pounds. The bikes can also be used to carry cargo or handle light towing.
According to the Florida State Parks Foundation, the e-bikes give rangers a quick and quiet way to travel across expansive park properties, including rugged or remote areas that can be difficult for larger vehicles to reach.
The bikes also produce zero emissions, helping reduce the environmental impact of park operations while allowing rangers to move through areas without disturbing visitors or wildlife with vehicle noise.
“These e-bikes reduce our state parks’ environmental footprint and encourage sustainability while also helping our amazing park rangers manage natural resources and deliver outstanding visitor services and experiences,” said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks Foundation.
Florida State Parks Director Chuck Hatcher said rangers have found a variety of uses for the e-bikes since the program began.
“No matter the park or task, our rangers are finding new and creative uses for these e-bikes all the time,” Hatcher said. “They are a huge help, our rangers love using them, and they make a real difference in so many aspects of park management and operations.”
Part of a Larger Sustainability Effort
The e-bike program is part of the Florida State Parks Foundation’s Greener Initiative, which supports projects designed to reduce waste and emissions, lower energy costs and improve experiences for visitors.
The initiative has also funded water-bottle refill stations at 98 state parks and trails, battery-powered tools and machinery, energy-efficient LED lighting and the hybrid-electric Great Blue Heron river tour boat at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park.
The foundation said Greener Initiative projects are funded through contributions from community partners and proceeds from Florida’s “Explore Our State Parks” specialty license plate.
More than 25,000 people have purchased the specialty plate since it was introduced in 2022.
“The best thing about the license plate is that it has made a real, tangible impact that anyone can see when they visit their favorite state parks,” said Florida State Parks Foundation Board President Matt Caldwell. “This latest fleet of e-bikes is just the latest example.”
The new e-bikes are expected to be distributed to the selected parks in fall 2026.
For visitors to Fred Gannon Rocky Bayou State Park and Shoal River Headwaters State Park, the new bikes could mean seeing more of the parks’ rangers out on the trails and throughout the parks — while giving those rangers another way to protect natural resources and serve the public.
The Florida State Parks Foundation has supported the Florida Park Service and Florida’s state parks since 1993. The nonprofit works on projects focused on conservation, education, community engagement, and supporting state park volunteers.
