The Florida State Parks Foundation today announced a major expansion to the State wide fleet of rugged, durable e-bikes for use by rangers across Florida’s award-winning network of state parks.
Through the Foundation’s Greener Initiative — a multitiered campaign to increase environmental sustainability — 25 Velotric Nomad 2 Fat Tire e-bikes will be distributed to state parks across Florida. Each e-bike features a 750-watt motor, 65-mile range and a maximum payload of more than 500 pounds.
The Foundation announced an initial purchase of 25 similar e-bikes in July 2024. Today’s additions bring the statewide total to 50.
All e-bikes were funded directly through sales from the “Explore Our State Parks” specialty license plate, and each e-bike is equipped with a miniature replica plate.
E-bikes provide rangers with quick and easy transportation across expansive park landscapes, can navigate rugged and remote areas that may be inaccessible to large vehicles and do not produce any emissions.
The Great Bicycle Shop, which has served Tallahassee and the surrounding area since 1971, facilitated the purchase, assembly and delivery of this year’s e-bike allotment.
“E-bikes are helpful for so many aspects of park operations, and our rangers absolutely love them,” Florida State Parks director Chuck Hatcher said. “We are grateful to the Foundation and The Great Bicycle Shop for their support and look forward to putting these e-bikes to use all across the state.”
Since it launched in 2023, the Foundation’s Greener Initiative has identified and implemented projects that reduce waste and emissions, lower energy demands and enhance experiences for park visitors.
Previous Greener Initiative projects include:
- Water-bottle refilling stations at 98 state parks and trails.
- Upgrading or replacing traditional lighting with efficient LED bulbs and fixtures.
- The hybrid-electric “Great Blue Heron” river tour boat at Edward Ball Wakulla Springs State Park.
- An initial wave of 25 e-bikes for state parks.
Greener Initiative projects are funded through generous contributions from community partners, as well as from sales of the “Explore Our State Parks” specialty license plate. More than 20,000 state parks enthusiasts and nature lovers have purchased an “Explore Our State Parks” specialty license plate since its debut in 2022.