Citrus County, Fla., Deputies Can Now Ticket E-Bike Riders Along the Withlacoochee State Trail

Sheriff's deputies in Citrus County, Florida, can now issue citations for e-bike violations along the entire Withlacoochee State Trail, not just the stretch inside Inverness city limits, the Citrus County Chronicle reported on October 25, 2026. Lt. Ed Blair, the Citrus County Sheriff's Office East Side commander, told Inverness City Council on October 20 that the agency had signed an agreement with the state of Florida on October 15 granting deputies the added enforcement authority, according to the paper.

What changed

Trail-wide authority. The agreement lets deputies act along the whole trail rather than limiting enforcement to the portions within city boundaries, Blair said.

More options. Deputies can cite riders who break speed limits or other rules of the road, and can trespass people from the trail when warranted, the Chronicle reported.

Tickets already written. Since the agreement took effect, the sheriff's office's community resource officers have issued about 12 citations, Blair said.

"We did our education portion of it, now we're getting into the enforcement part of it," Blair told council members.

Why deputies stepped in

The enforcement effort follows complaints about groups of young e-bike riders and concerns about unsafe behavior on the popular trail, according to the Chronicle. Blair said the sheriff's office is also:

Building a schools program with school resource officers so students can learn bike safety and the rules before they get a citation.

Putting a deputy on an e-bike to patrol the trail and keep up with riders who might otherwise be hard to catch.

Releasing safety videos. One bike-safety video is out, and at least three more are planned, spaced out to keep the message in front of the public.

Running night sweeps. Deputies work with Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission officers, who also check the trail at night and help anyone stranded or with broken-down equipment.

What local leaders want next

Inverness City Manager Eric Williams said the city could seek broader state action as it sets its legislative priorities. "Citrus County is a cycling community, and we would like to see a revisit of legislation that is broad reaching across the state as it relates to e-bikes in particular, youth and e-bikes," Williams said. Councilman Gene Davis said the concerns go beyond the county: "It's certainly not just the problem with Citrus County."

What riders should do now

Ride the posted speed. Trail speed limits and rules of the road now carry a ticket anywhere on the Withlacoochee, not only in Inverness.

Wear a helmet. We recommend one for every rider. Shop our helmet picks.

Light up. Fall evenings get dark early; mount front and rear lights now.

Talk to young riders. Go over trail etiquette, passing and speed with teens before they head out.

This is a summary of news reporting, not legal advice. Check posted trail rules and the Citrus County Sheriff's Office for current enforcement details.

More from ElectricBikes.com News: North Ridgeville, Ohio, e-bike rules take effect Nov. 4 · Oviedo, Fla., sets 15 mph sidewalk limit · More e-bike news

Sources

Mike Arnold, "Deputies can now ticket e-bike riders on trail," Citrus County Chronicle, October 25, 2026: chronicleonline.com

Photo: "Greetings from the Withlacoochee State Trail, Florida" mural, by Xrzt via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0); cropped, headline added in the featured image.

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