Tragedy Spurs Action: Collier County Tightens E-Bike Regulations Following Teen's Death

By , NNN News Now

NAPLES, Fla. — In response to the tragic death of 14-year-old Clayton Miller, who was fatally struck by an SUV while riding his electric bicycle in North Naples, Collier County officials have enacted stringent new regulations aimed at enhancing e-bike safety. (FOX 4 News Fort Myers WFTX)

The incident, which occurred at the intersection of Lakeland Avenue and Madison Drive, has galvanized community leaders and safety advocates to address the growing concerns surrounding e-bike usage, particularly among minors. (Instagram)

Key Provisions of the New Ordinance:

• Age Restrictions: Individuals under 16 are now prohibited from operating Class 3 e-bikes, which can reach speeds up to 28 mph.

• Sidewalk Usage: Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes are banned from sidewalks in unincorporated areas of Collier County. Only Class 1 e-bikes, which require pedaling and have a maximum speed of 20 mph, are permitted on sidewalks. (FOX 4 News Fort Myers WFTX)

• Speed Limits: A speed limit of 15 mph has been established for all bicycles and e-bikes operating on sidewalks.

• Parental Supervision: Adults may accompany children under 16 on sidewalks using e-bikes, ensuring minors are not separated from supervision.

• Safety Protocols: E-bike riders are required to stop for school buses displaying stop signals and must yield to pedestrians on shared pathways, providing audible warnings when passing.

Community Response:

Michelle Avola-Brown, Executive Director of the Naples Pathways Coalition, emphasized the need for comprehensive education alongside enforcement. "The use of these e-bikes has just exploded. There hasn’t been the forethought to plan for how to deal with them, so now we’re in a reactionary time out of necessity," she stated. (FOX 4 News Fort Myers WFTX, FOX 4 News Fort Myers WFTX)

Lisa Badolato, owner of a local e-bike store, expressed concerns about the potential confusion for riders navigating varying regulations across different jurisdictions. "These bikes can go 60 to 80 miles. You’re going from one community to another — each has different rules," she noted. (FOX 4 News Fort Myers WFTX)

Looking Ahead:

Collier County Commissioner Dan Kowal, who proposed the ordinance, acknowledged the challenges ahead. "We’ve got kids operating these things at speeds up to 30 miles per hour. I felt it was probably time to take a deeper dive into the ordinance itself," he remarked. (FOX 4 News Fort Myers WFTX)

The ordinance, officially known as Ordinance No. 2025-22, aims to balance the benefits of e-bikes as a mode of transportation with the imperative of public safety. As the community mourns the loss of a young life, these measures represent a collective effort to prevent future tragedies.

For more information on the new regulations, residents are encouraged to review the full ordinance at the Collier County Clerk of Courts website.

Related Video:

Deadly e-bike crash that killed teen prompts renewed safety push in Collier County