Deltona, Florida’s Under-18 E-Bike Ban Faces Enforcement Dispute

Last Updated on July 31, 2026 by Kristina

DELTONA, Florida – July 31, 2026: Deltona has adopted an ordinance prohibiting riders under 18 from operating e-bikes and other covered micromobility devices on public sidewalks, bicycle paths and public roadways. However, Volusia County Sheriff Mike Chitwood says deputies are not planning to enforce the ordinance until his office receives more clarity about how it should be applied.

The disagreement creates an unusual situation for families: Ordinance 02-2026 remains adopted and effective, but the law-enforcement agency serving Deltona has paused enforcement while emphasizing education. Riders can review the State-by-State E-Bike Law Guide to understand why city rules may differ from statewide requirements.

The Deltona dispute comes as nearby communities consider their own youth, identification, speed and equipment requirements. Daytona Beach is also considering stricter local e-bike rules, although that proposal has not received final approval. You can follow further developments in the Electric Bike News archive.

Current status: The Deltona City Commission unanimously adopted Ordinance 02-2026 on July 20, 2026, and the ordinance took effect immediately. As of July 31, the Volusia County Sheriff’s Office says it is not planning to enforce the ordinance while Sheriff Chitwood seeks clarification and focuses on rider education. The city says it is working with the sheriff to address his questions and concerns.

What Happened in Deltona?

The Deltona City Commission approved Ordinance 02-2026 at its second and final reading on July 20. The motion passed 7-0.

The measure adds local operating rules for micromobility devices, a category that includes electric bicycles, motorized scooters and certain other small motorized devices. Its most controversial provision prohibits anyone under 18 from operating a covered micromobility device on Deltona’s public sidewalks, bicycle paths and public roadways or pathways.

The ordinance took effect immediately after final adoption. Its timing is especially important for local families because the school year is approaching and some teenagers use e-bikes to travel to school, work and other activities.

📰 How This Story Was Verified

This report is based on available official documents, agency statements, meeting records, court filings, or other primary sources, with reliable reporting used for additional context. I clearly distinguish proposals from rules that have been finally approved or taken effect.

What Deltona’s Under-18 E-Bike Rule Requires

Ordinance 02-2026 includes the following requirements and restrictions:

• Anyone under 18 is prohibited from operating a covered micromobility device on public sidewalks, bicycle paths and public roadways or pathways.
• Micromobility devices may not exceed 15 mph when operating on a sidewalk.
• Riders must use an available bicycle lane instead of the sidewalk.
• An adult accompanying a minor child may use the sidewalk to supervise the child.
• Riders must stop for a school bus displaying its stop signal, subject to the ordinance’s divided-roadway exception.
• Riders approaching a signalized intersection from a sidewalk must follow the applicable pedestrian signal.
• On shared pathways that are not adjacent to roadways, including pathways in parks and recreation areas, riders must yield to pedestrians and provide an audible warning before passing.
• Covered devices producing more than 750 watts are prohibited on public sidewalks, bicycle paths and public roadways or pathways.
• Covered devices capable of reaching 30 mph or more are prohibited in those same public areas.

The ordinance contains an exception protecting the use of assistive mobility devices by people with disabilities. It also states that traditional bicycles remain permitted on public sidewalks.

Deltona says the ordinance is intended to address speeding on sidewalks, conflicts with pedestrians and unsafe interactions around vehicles and intersections. The city says its purpose is to create consistent operating standards rather than simply issue citations.

Why the Volusia Sheriff Paused Enforcement

Sheriff Mike Chitwood says his office has questions about how the ordinance can be enforced, particularly its blanket prohibition on riders under 18. He has pointed to the difficulty of determining a rider’s age and questioned whether deputies should stop students traveling to school to check how old they are.

Chitwood has also questioned the logic of prohibiting a teenager from riding an e-bike when Florida allows a person to obtain a learner’s license at 15. He says the Sheriff’s Office plans to work with Volusia County Schools on education before penalizing riders.

As of July 31, Chitwood says deputies are not planning to enforce the ordinance until there is greater clarity. His position pauses practical enforcement, but it does not repeal or amend the ordinance itself.

Florida Class 3 E-Bikes Do Not Require a Driver’s License

There is an important legal distinction in the public discussion about Class 3 e-bikes.

Florida defines a legal electric bicycle as a bicycle or tricycle with fully operable pedals, a seat or saddle and an electric motor of less than 750 watts. State law recognizes three classifications:

• Class 1: Pedal assistance that ends at 20 mph.
• Class 2: Motor assistance that may propel the bike without pedaling and ends at 20 mph.
• Class 3: Pedal assistance that ends at 28 mph.

A compliant Class 3 e-bike does not require a driver’s license, vehicle registration, title or motor-vehicle insurance under Florida Statute 316.20655. Riders can learn more about the distinctions in my guide to Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3 e-bikes.

A device that does not meet Florida’s electric-bicycle definition may fall under a different vehicle category and may be subject to separate licensing, registration or operating requirements. Riders should verify the actual motor rating, assisted speed, pedals and operating configuration rather than relying only on a seller’s “e-bike” label.

Deltona’s ordinance separately prohibits covered micromobility devices producing more than 750 watts and devices capable of speeds of 30 mph or greater on its public sidewalks, bicycle paths and roadways or pathways.

Florida Law Allows Local E-Bike Age Rules

Florida generally gives legal e-bikes the same rights and duties as conventional bicycles. However, Florida Statute 316.20655 expressly allows local governments to adopt minimum-age requirements for e-bike operators.

The statute also permits local ordinances requiring riders to possess government-issued photo identification. Deltona’s ordinance uses the state’s local authority to create its under-18 rule, although the sheriff has raised practical and legal questions about enforcing that specific restriction.

The sheriff’s decision to pause enforcement is not a court ruling on whether the ordinance is valid.

How Deltona Responded to the Sheriff

After Chitwood announced his position, the City of Deltona said it had contacted counsel for the sheriff multiple times before moving the ordinance forward and had not been advised that the Sheriff’s Office would take this position.

The city says it remains committed to working with the sheriff to address his questions and concerns.

Mayor Santiago Avila Jr. has defended the ordinance’s broader safety purpose but has also said he disagrees with setting the minimum riding age at 18. He has called for the age provision to receive further review.

Other commissioners have also indicated that they are open to revisiting the age requirement while keeping rules aimed at unsafe speeds and riding behavior.

What This Means for Riders and Parents

The ordinance remains part of Deltona’s local law, but its enforcement is currently uncertain. Families may receive one message from the adopted city ordinance and another from the agency responsible for most local law enforcement.

Chitwood’s enforcement pause should not be interpreted as permission to ride recklessly or operate a device that does not qualify as a legal e-bike. State traffic laws, school-bus rules, pedestrian protections and laws applying to other motor-vehicle categories remain separate issues.

Volusia County Schools says it does not have a district policy prohibiting students under 18 from riding e-bikes to or from school. However, any student who rides an e-bike onto a school campus must complete the district’s Ride Smart VCS safety course.

Families should also confirm the type of vehicle a student is riding. A legal Class 1, Class 2 or Class 3 e-bike is not the same as a high-powered electric motorcycle or modified device that exceeds Florida’s electric-bicycle definition.

What Happens Next?

The final agenda for Deltona’s August 3 City Commission meeting does not list Ordinance 02-2026, a micromobility amendment or a formal review of the under-18 restriction.

When commissioners adopted the ordinance, they discussed further review by the Ordinance Review Committee and additional examination of Chapter 66. City officials have also said the age provision could return for reconsideration.

As of July 31, however, no specific amendment, hearing or new vote on the ordinance has been formally scheduled. The city and Sheriff’s Office are expected to continue discussing enforcement and possible changes.

I will update this report if Deltona amends the ordinance, the sheriff changes his enforcement position or another official action affects the rule.

My Take

I understand why Deltona wants clearer safety rules. Fast e-bikes and other high-powered electric devices can create serious risks when inexperienced riders mix with pedestrians, school traffic and busy intersections.

However, adopting a blanket under-18 prohibition without a clear enforcement plan creates unnecessary confusion. Families should not have to guess whether an adopted rule will be enforced or whether it is likely to change shortly after taking effect.

A more workable approach could combine reasonable minimum ages for younger children, helmet requirements, speed limits, equipment standards, school-based training and enforcement against devices that do not legally qualify as e-bikes. Whatever Deltona ultimately decides, the city and sheriff need to provide riders with one clear and accurate explanation.

Sources

• City of Deltona Ordinance No. 02-2026
• Deltona City Commission minutes – July 20, 2026
• City of Deltona explanation of the micromobility ordinance
• Deltona City Commission final agenda – August 3, 2026
• Florida Statute 316.003 – Electric-bicycle definitions
• Florida Statute 316.20655 – Electric-bicycle regulations
• News 6 report on Sheriff Mike Chitwood’s position
• Spectrum News report on the enforcement pause
• Spectrum News report on the ordinance’s adoption