Florida’s State Parks system has expanded its use of electric bikes for ranger patrols, adding dozens of new units as part of a broader effort to improve sustainability and reduce emissions.
The Florida State Parks Foundation said the expansion, under its Greener Initiative, will see Velotric Nomad e-bikes deployed to multiple sites including Fort Clinch, Olustee Battlefield Historic, Rainbow Springs, Stephen Foster Folk Culture Center, and Suwannee River State Park. The e-bikes, equipped with 750-watt motors, a 65-mile range and a 500-pound payload capacity, are designed to handle rough paths and off-road trails with 4-inch-wide fat tires.
“The Greener Initiative has done incredible things to reduce our environmental footprint,” said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Foundation. She added it was “even more amazing when Greener projects align with resources that support our rangers.”
The rollout brings the statewide fleet to 50 e-bikes, funded by sales of the “Explore Our State Parks” specialty license plate. Launched in 2023, the Greener Initiative includes programs aimed at cutting emissions, reducing waste, and lowering energy use, while also enhancing visitor experiences across the state’s parks.
