A new e-bike ordinance in Pinecrest is putting parents at the center of rider safety as children’s hospitals continue seeing more serious injuries.
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According to Pinecrest leaders, they want to prevent the next crash and not respond to it.
Pinecrest is now requiring riders under 16 to complete a free e-bike safety course with a parent or guardian before riding a Class 2 e-bike on village sidewalks, roads or shared use paths.
Officials said the goal is education, not a ban.
“Facial injuries, broken bones, some organ and soft tissue and the one we fear the most is traumatic brain injuries,” said Malvina Duncan, a registered nurse at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital.
The concern comes as doctors at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital report a dramatic increase in patients hurt on e-bikes.
The hospital said cases climbed from just six in 2021 to 37 in 2025, which is a roughly 517% increase.
Memorial Healthcare System said that there’s a 178% increase in e-bike and e-scooter-related injuries from 2024 to 2025, with the trend continuing into 2026.
“Know what they’re buying, understanding that you scooters are classified as mobility devices and not toys, and even though they’re classified as bicycles, they can go at fast speeds,” Duncan said.
So far in 2025, Nicklaus has already treated 46 children with e-bike injuries, which is nearly eight times the number seen in 2021.
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Pinecrest’s new rules also require parents to sign a safety acknowledgment, set lower speed limits, and impose fines starting at $250 for violations.
Memorial Healthcare Systems said the severity of injuries is escalating, with more patients arriving as trauma alerts.
The required safety training is free through the Pinecrest Police Department and must be renewed every two years.
Other cities in Miami-Dade County have issued age restrictions for e-bike use.
The Sunny Isles Beach city commission approved an ordinance to strengthen e-bike safety regulations by adding an age restriction.
Those under 16 years of age will not be able to rent or ride an e-bike.
Riders will also not be permitted to use their e-bikes on sidewalks within the city of Sunny Isles Beach. They will only be permitted on bike lanes or roadways.
First offenders who do not follow these regulations will pay a $250 fine, which increases to $500 for future violations.
Miami-Dade County commissioners also approved a measure that would regulate e-bikes, specifically on the Rickenbacker Causeway, which is a county roadway.
Maximum speeds for e-bikes and scooters will now be 20 mph, and they cannot be operated on sidewalks.
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