E-bike crashes continue to rise in Coral Springs as police report 54 injury cases and two deaths
Coral Springs, Florida – New data from Coral Springs police is offering a detailed look at the growing number of crashes involving e-bikes, e-scooters and other electric micromobility devices in the city this year.
Police recorded 72 such crashes between Jan. 1 and Aug. 13, according to information provided by Deputy Police Chief Ryan Gallagher. Of those crashes, 54 involved injuries, nine resulted in serious bodily injuries and two ended in deaths.
The figures are expected to be presented to Coral Springs city commissioners this week as the city continues to deal with safety concerns surrounding electric-powered transportation.
One of the most notable parts of the data is the age of the people operating the devices. Of the 72 drivers involved in crashes, 52 were juveniles, while 20 were adults.
That means children and teenagers accounted for the majority of crash-involved operators during the period covered by the report.
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The number of crashes also varied from month to month. Police recorded 12 crashes in January, eight in February, 10 in March, eight in April, 10 in May, 12 in June and seven in July. Another five crashes were recorded through Aug. 13.
In total, 75 percent of the crashes resulted in injuries.
Two crashes were fatal.
In February, 62-year-old Franklin Osorio was killed in a collision involving an e-bike and a pickup truck at Coral Ridge Drive and Eagle Trace Boulevard. Two months later, 60-year-old Guy Scott died after a crash involving an electric-powered motorcycle and a marked Coral Springs police vehicle near the 4300 block of Riverside Drive.
The police data also highlights concerns about helmet use. Helmets were worn in only 13 of the 72 crashes. In 58 incidents, the operator was not wearing a helmet. Police could not determine helmet use in one case because the operator fled before officers arrived.
Another significant finding involved responsibility for the crashes. Police determined that electric-vehicle operators were at least partly at fault in 71 percent of the incidents. Operators were considered solely responsible in 54 percent of the crashes and shared responsibility in another 17 percent.
The timing of crashes also showed some patterns. Friday was the busiest day of the week, with 16 crashes recorded. Looking at the time of day, the 7 a.m. hour had the highest number, with 10 crashes. The 5 p.m. hour followed with nine.
Coral Springs already has local rules governing the use of e-bikes, micromobility devices and e-scooters. They are permitted on sidewalks and bike paths, but riders cannot exceed 15 mph.
There is a stricter requirement when pedestrians are nearby. Riders must slow to 5 mph when they come within 25 feet of a pedestrian on a shared sidewalk.
The local rules come as Florida has also considered additional statewide restrictions.
Florida lawmakers approved Senate Bill 382 unanimously in both chambers. The measure passed the Senate 37-0 and the House 112-0, but Gov. Ron DeSantis vetoed the legislation on June 25.
The bill would have introduced several additional requirements. Among them was a proposed 10 mph speed limit for e-bikes in certain pedestrian areas. The legislation also called for riders on some shared paths to yield to pedestrians and provide an audible warning before passing them.
Another provision would have required law enforcement agencies to collect specific crash information involving micromobility devices.
Although that legislation did not become law, Coral Springs police continue to warn parents and young riders about the risks associated with e-bikes, e-scooters and other electric-powered devices.
The department has also pointed to another issue that can create confusion for riders and families. Some devices that are commonly described as e-bikes may actually meet the definition of motorcycles based on their specifications. If so, they could be subject to state requirements involving licensing and registration.
For Coral Springs officials, the new crash figures provide a clearer picture of how often these devices are involved in serious incidents on city streets and pathways.
The numbers also show that the issue is not limited to minor falls or property damage. Three-quarters of the reported crashes involved injuries, nine caused serious injuries and two resulted in fatalities.
With children making up 52 of the 72 crash-involved drivers, the data is likely to keep safety, helmet use and responsible riding among the concerns facing city officials and local families.
As Coral Springs continues to monitor the situation, police are urging parents and young riders to understand the rules governing these devices and to recognize the risks that can come with riding them.
