Proposal creates Florida sales tax holiday for bicycles, electric scooters, safety equipment

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Rep. Sam Killebrew, R-Winter Haven, introduced legislation Wednesday that would implement a sales tax holiday for personal mobility vehicles such as bicycles and electric scooters.

The bill also provides a sales tax holiday for personal safety equipment used when operating micromobility vehicles, like helmets and knee pads.

The legislation’s text explains that a “micromobility vehicle” includes any human or electric-powered transportation device that weighs less than 500 pounds, is less than 3 feet in width and is designed to go no faster than 30 miles per hour.

HB 475 would institute the sales tax exemption from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

The legislation has a similarly related bill in the Senate, SB 58, sponsored by Sen. Linda Stewart, D-Orlando.

Electric scooters have recently peaked the interest of many urban dwellers across the United States as a fast and efficient way to get around city environments, according to Morning Consult.

The industry has reportedly seen “explosive growth” in various regions of the country, with Bird Inc. and Neutron Holdings Inc. spreading their electric rental scooter services throughout 37 states.

Gov. Ron DeSantis and state lawmakers have signed off on many sales tax holidays and relief packages within the last couple of years.

Florida’s back-to-school sales tax holiday was a two week period from July 24 through Aug. 6 where various school-related items were exempt from sales tax.

Additionally, the state’s “Freedom Summer” sales tax holiday provided roughly $230 million in relief for Florida families.