Pedal Assist — Issue No. 1 — July 2026

Welcome to the first issue of Pedal Assist. We're Chris and Jennifer, and we run Sun And Fun E-Bikes here in St. Augustine. We started this newsletter for one reason: e-bike laws, gear, and safety information are scattered, confusing, and sometimes flat-out wrong online. Once a month, we'll bring you what actually matters — checked against primary sources, with links so you can verify everything yourself. No fluff, no hype. Just what riders need to know.

— Chris & Jennifer

DeSantis Vetoes Florida's E-Bike Bill. Here's What That Means for Your Ride.

For months, Florida riders were told to prepare for new rules on July 1. That's not happening. On June 26, Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed Senate Bill 382 — a measure that had passed both chambers of the Legislature unanimously. ¹

The bill would have capped e-bike speeds at 10 mph on sidewalks and shared paths whenever a pedestrian was within 50 feet, required an audible signal before passing, created a statewide micromobility safety task force, and directed law enforcement to track e-bike crashes by class and rider age. ² In his veto message, the governor called the bill an overreach, objecting to a task force with no sunset date and to enforcement he said would invite surveillance by local governments. ^1,3

What this means for you: nothing changes. Florida law still treats Class 1, 2, and 3 e-bikes as bicycles — no license, no registration, no insurance required statewide. Riders under 16 must wear a helmet, and cities and trail agencies can still set their own rules for sidewalks, beaches, and paths, so check local ordinances before you ride somewhere new. ⁴

Our take: the veto doesn't mean the pressure is off. The bill passed unanimously — lawmakers on both sides want e-bike rules, and a version of this will be back next session. The best thing riders can do right now is make the case for light-touch regulation by riding like it: slow down near walkers, announce your pass, and keep your bike inside its class. Courtesy today is policy insurance tomorrow.

Three States Every Rider Should Be Watching

Our running record of state e-bike law. Chip colors: magenta = law changed, orange = action needed now, gold = on watch.

Florida Heat Is Hard on Batteries. Five Habits That Protect Yours.

Every summer we see the same preventable damage: batteries cooked in car trunks, packs left charging in the sun, and chargers that were never meant for the bike they're plugged into. Lithium-ion cells age faster in heat, and heat is the one thing Florida has in surplus. Here's what we tell every customer:

1. Never leave the battery in a hot car or direct sun. A closed vehicle in a Florida lot can top 130°F — well beyond safe storage for lithium cells. Take the pack with you.

2. Charge indoors, on a hard surface, while you're awake and home. Not on carpet, not on the porch, not overnight.

3. Use only the charger that came with your bike or a manufacturer-approved replacement. Mismatched chargers are a leading cause of the battery failures we see.

4. Look for UL certification — UL 2849 covers the complete e-bike electrical system and UL 2271 covers the battery pack. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission urges buyers to choose devices certified to these standards. ¹⁰

5. Retire damaged packs immediately. Swelling, unusual heat, hissing, or a dropped battery that "still works" — stop using it and have it inspected.

Bosch Builds Its First Hub Motor — and City Bikes Are About to Get Sleeker

Bosch eBike Systems — the industry's premium mid-drive maker — unveiled its first hub motor in June, designed for urban e-bikes. The company describes the unit as lightweight and nearly invisible, letting manufacturers build cleaner, more traditional-looking commuters. ¹¹ Why it matters: when the biggest name in mid-drives commits to hub motors, it signals where the everyday commuter market is heading — lighter bikes that look less like machines and more like bicycles. Expect this drivetrain on 2027 model-year city bikes.

Visiting St. Augustine? Come ride with us — rentals, tours, and honest advice from your First Coast locals.

1. ClickOrlando/News 6, "Here's why Gov. DeSantis vetoed these 5 new Florida bills," June 28, 2026.
2. ClickOrlando/News 6, "These new e-bike rules may soon become law in Florida," May 21, 2026.
3. Insurance Journal, "Florida Governor Vetoes E-Bike Safety Bill," June 30, 2026.
4. Florida Statutes §316.20655 (electric bicycles) and §316.2065 (helmet requirement, under 16).
5. NJ Motor Vehicle Commission, E-Bike Requirements.
6. Office of Rep. Josh Gottheimer, briefing release on NJ e-bike law, June 30, 2026.
7. WBEZ Chicago, "E-bikes faster than 28 mph will need insurance, registration…," June 4, 2026.
8. Daily Herald, "State lawmakers approve bill to regulate e-bikes, scooters," May 28, 2026.
9. KCPQ-TV Seattle, "New WA law aims to keep minors off e-bikes," June 2026.
10. U.S. CPSC micromobility battery safety guidance; UL 2849 and UL 2271.
11. Electrive, "Bosch eBike Systems launches first hub motor for e-bikes," June 2026.

Published monthly by Sun And Fun E-Bikes · St. Augustine, Florida
Call or text: 904-690-6204