Orange County staff to draft micromobility ordinance after data shows sharp rise in e-bike injuries

Orange County staff presented a data-driven micromobility safety package at a May 19 work session and asked the Board of County Commissioners to return within months with a draft ordinance.

Lauren Torres, senior project manager for Public Works, and public-health and school officials outlined national and local trends: shared micromobility trips rose rapidly in recent years, and county emergency-department data show a sharp increase in e-bike and e-scooter injuries since 2022. Dr. Mitchell Michelac of the Florida Department of Health said emergency-department visits attributed to e-bikes and e-scooters increased by roughly 273% from 2022 to 2025 in Orange County, and that 54% of 2025 ED visits occurred among people 19 and younger; the largest share (28%) were ages 10
1414.

Orange County Public Schools’ safety director, Nicholas Moresy, told commissioners that roughly 11,800 students use a micro-mobility device to travel to school and that middle-school riders make up the largest share. Law enforcement described enforcement challenges: devices lack consistent labeling, can be modified to exceed legal speeds, and many younger riders lack training. "We have limited enforcement options and many 10- to 14-year-olds riding at unsafe speeds," Lieutenant Michael Crab of the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.

Staff recommendations included an immediate public-education campaign, a countywide safety and infrastructure study (estimated $250,000

$500,000 for unincorporated areas), establishing design guidance for bike lanes, and developing a county ordinance to incorporate the changes proposed in state legislation (Senate Bill 382). Proposed regulatory provisions discussed at the meeting included: maximum speeds by facility type, a 10 mph requirement near pedestrians, mandatory yielding and audible warnings, parental notification for repeat infractions, helmet enforcement per state law, and a county ticketing process analogous to parking citations; the sheriff's office also requested impoundment authority for repeat or dangerous offenders.

Board reaction: Commissioners from across the board supported fast action and cross-jurisdiction coordination: several members asked for a draft ordinance to return within two to three months, paired with a focused education rollout this summer and a more comprehensive safety study to inform long-term infrastructure changes.

Why it matters: County officials said the rise in injuries is concentrated among local young people and places an increasing burden on emergency response and schools. Officials said a combined approach of education, enforcement, and targeted infrastructure improvements is needed to reduce injuries while preserving micromobility as a transportation option.

What's next: Staff will continue stakeholder outreach, work with regional partners on a policy framework, and return to the board with a draft ordinance and a recommended implementation timeline.