Walton County delays e-bike ordinance, directs staff to hold stakeholder workshop before July vote

The Walton County Board of County Commissioners continued consideration of a drafted ordinance to regulate electric bicycles and e‑motors in unincorporated county areas, directing staff to hold stakeholder workshops and return July 21 with revised language after pending state legislation takes effect.

County Attorney Clay Atkinson introduced a scaled‑back draft ordinance that would, among other things, prohibit e‑bikes on sidewalks; permit Class 1 and Class 2 e‑bikes on shared‑use paths, bike lanes and roadways; prohibit Class 3 e‑bikes on trails; set a minimum operation age of 14; and allow the county traffic engineer to restrict e‑bike operation on specific paths for safety reasons. Atkinson said a recently adopted state bill includes additional rules (such as required horns and a slow‑down rule near pedestrians) that will take effect July 1 and that the county wants to avoid conflict with state law.

Commissioners and members of the public raised concerns about safety, helmet requirements for 14‑ to 16‑year‑olds, enforceability of speed limits on paths, the definition of sidewalks versus multiuse paths and the compliance of rental fleets. One commissioner proposed requiring helmets for 14–16 year‑olds; others worried about over‑regulation and parental responsibility.

Given the mixture of local safety concerns and impending state rules, Commissioner Gladwell moved to continue the ordinance to a date‑certain July 21, at 1 p.m. at the South Walton Annex, and to direct staff to organize at least one stakeholder workshop and have the county engineer identify where speed‑control signage should be placed. The board voted 5‑0 to continue the item.

County staff said continuing the item will allow officials to review the governor’s action on the recent bill, hold community workshops with stakeholders including law enforcement, engineers and the rental industry, and return with recommended language that aligns with state law while addressing local safety enforcement and signage.