Atlantic Beach leaders push to tighten e-bike regulations at Jacksonville beaches

Local leaders are working to tighten regulations on e-bikes at Jacksonville beaches, and residents got their first chance to weigh in Wednesday.Atlantic Beach held a community meeting to discuss proposed rules for e-bike riders. Atlantic Beach Mayor Curtis Ford said that legislation needs to be passed before injuries mount.“Based on the data that proves that there are significant injuries occurring around the state and fatalities — not here in this area, but around the state — we need to be proactive to ensure that we don’t have unnecessary injuries and loss of life at the beach,” Ford said.What the proposed rules would coverFord said he wants uniform regulations across all Jacksonville beach communities. The proposed rules would address:Speed limits on sidewalks and streetsWhether riders can or cannot ride on the beachFord did not specify during the meeting what those speed limits would be.Residents weigh inNot everyone at the meeting is pushing for stricter rules. Some residents say