Dunedin, FL — Community Raises Concerns About E-Bikes, E-Scooters on Pinellas Trail

Dunedin, FL (January 29th, 2025) – Each day, joggers, bikers, walkers, and, increasingly, e-bike and e-scooter users, frequent portions of the Pinellas Trail. As more e-bike and e-scooter riders have taken to the trail, community leaders and residents have raised concerns about the safety risks.

Locals who frequent the portion of the trail in the Dunedin area are considering possible solutions, before a serious or fatal accident occurs. Since 2022, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission reports a 21% increase in e-bike and e-scooter injuries. 

What Causes E-Bike and E-Scooter Accidents in Florida?

Understanding the common causes of accidents involving e-bikes and e-scooters is crucial for both riders and pedestrians to help ensure safety. Several factors contribute to e-scooter and e-bicycle accidents in Florida. Some of the most common of these include:

Rider Error

Inexperience with handling these devices, particularly at higher speeds, is a significant factor in many e-bike and e-scooter accidents. Rider error may include improper braking, failure to yield to pedestrians or other trail users, and navigating obstacles or uneven surfaces incorrectly. Riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol also severely impairs judgment and reaction time, dramatically increasing the risk of accidents.

Infrastructure Issues

Poorly maintained trails with potholes, cracks, or inadequate lighting can create hazardous conditions for e-bike and e-scooter riders. Lack of designated bike lanes or shared paths in certain areas can force riders into traffic or onto sidewalks, increasing the risk for collisions with vehicles or pedestrians. Further, overcrowding on popular trails, like the Pinellas Trail, can also contribute to accidents as riders navigate congested areas.

Inattentive Riding

Distracted riding, such as using a cell phone while operating an e-bike or e-scooter, is a major cause of accidents. Distractions may divert riders’ attention from their surroundings and impair their ability to react to hazards.

Pedestrian Error

While riders bear a responsibility for safe operation, pedestrian behavior can also contribute to e-bike and e-scooter accidents. Such behaviors may include walking in designated bike lanes, suddenly stepping into the path of an e-bike or e-scooter, or not paying attention to their surroundings.

Lack of Awareness and Education

Many riders and pedestrians are simply unaware of the rules of the road or trail, or the specific operating requirements for e-bikes and e-scooters. Lack of education regarding these rules can lead to unsafe practices, and increase the risk of serious personal injury accidents.

Common E-Bike and E-Scooter Injuries

E-bike and e-scooter accidents can result in a range of injuries, from minor scrapes and bruises to more serious and life-altering conditions. Understanding the common types of injuries associated with these accidents can help riders and pedestrians take necessary precautions and promote safer practices. Some of the most frequently reported e-bike and e-scooter injuries include:

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Head injuries, including concussions and more severe TBIs, are a significant concern, especially for riders who aren’t wearing helmets. Such injuries can have long-lasting cognitive and physical effects.

Fractures

Broken bones are common in e-bike and e-scooter accidents, often affecting the arms, legs, wrists, and collarbone. Fractures can require extensive medical treatment, including surgery and rehabilitation.

Lacerations and Abrasions

Cuts, scrapes, and road rash are frequent injuries, often caused by falls or contact with the pavement or other surfaces. While many are minor, some can be deep and require stitches or skin grafts.

Dental Injuries

Facial impacts resulting from e-bike and e-scooter accidents can result in broken teeth, jaw fractures, and other dental injuries. Those who suffer such trauma may require extensive and costly dental work.

Growing Popularity of E-Bikes and E-Scooters on Pinellas Trail

The Pinellas Trail, a scenic and multi-use trail spanning much of Pinellas County, has witnessed a surge of popularity of e-bikes and e-scooters in recent years. The trend on the Pinellas Trail reflects a broader national movement towards embracing alternative modes of transportation that offer both convenience and environmental benefits. Factors contributing to the growing appeal of e-bikes and e-scooters on the Pinellas Trail include:

• Accessibility and convenience
• Recreational enjoyment
• Viable commuting option
• Tourism and economic impact
• Environmental benefits

Though the increased use of e-bikes and e-scooters on the Pinellas Trail offers numerous benefits, it also presents challenges, including the need to ensure safety for all trail users. 

Safety and Legal Concerns from Community Leaders and Residents

The increasing presence of e-bikes and e-scooters on the Pinellas Trail, while welcomed by some, has also generated safety and legal concerns. These concerns stem from the perceived risks associated with faster speeds, rider behavior, and the chance for conflicts with other trail users. Some of the key issues raised include:

Speed and Reckless Riding

Residents have expressed concerns about e-bike and e-scooter riders exceeding safe speeds, particularly in congested areas or sections of the trail with limited visibility. While the speed limit on the trail in the Dunedin area is 20 mph, many of these bikes reach speeds just over that limit.

Reckless riding behavior, such as weaving through pedestrians, failing to yield, and riding under the influence, is also a major concern.

Pedestrian Safety

Many pedestrians, including seniors and families with young children, feel less safe on the trail due to the increased presence of e-bikes and e-scooters. They worry about getting struck by riders who are traveling at high speeds or not paying attention to their surroundings.

Enforcement of Rules and Regulations

Residents and leaders have questioned the adequacy of current enforcement measures to ensure compliance with speed limits, helmet laws, and other regulations pertaining to e-bikes and e-scooters. They have called for increased patrols and stricter enforcement to deter unsafe behavior.

Liability and Insurance

Questions have arisen regarding liability in the event of an accident involving an e-bike or e-scooter. Clarification is needed on insurance requirements, and who is responsible for damages or injuries caused by riders. Consulting with an experienced attorney may help answer the question, “When should you sue for a personal injury?” after an e-bike or e-scooter accident.

Injuries resulting from e-bike and e-scooter accidents can have serious, lasting implications. Our dedicated pedestrian and bicycle accidents attorney at Magazine & Light Law Group, Jim Magazine, has more than 30 years of experience assisting those injured due to the negligence of others. To discuss your options after an e-bike accident in Pinellas County, contact us today at 727-499-9900. 

Jim Magazine

James (Jim) Magazine is a Florida Board Certified Civil Trial lawyer who has spent his career helping injured victims. Jim is licensed to practice law in the State of Florida since 1990 and is also admitted to practice at the Appellate level and admitted to the United States Supreme Court.

Years of Experience: More than 30 years
Florida Registration Status: Active
Bar Admissions:
Clearwater Bar Association
West Pasco Bar Association