The Florida State Parks Foundation joined Florida State Parks at Silver Springs State Park on Thursday, Aug. 27, to announce the addition of 25 new e-bikes for use by park rangers across the state.
Florida State Parks Foundation Board President Matt Caldwell speaks with a reporter before the Foundation announced 25 new e-bikes for Florida State Parks rangers on Thursday, Aug. 27 at Silver Springs State Park in Ocala.
During a press conference at Silver Springs State Park near Ocala, the Foundation joined the Florida Park Service, the Friends of Silver Springs State Park and Ocala-based Carousel E-Bikes to debut 25 Velotric Nomad 2 Fat Tire e-bikes set to be distributed to state parks in all corners of Florida.
Each e-bike features a 750-watt motor, a 65-mile range and a maximum payload of more than 500 pounds.
Through the Florida State Parks Foundation’s Greener Initiative — a multi-tiered campaign to increase environmental sustainability — Florida’s state parks have received 75 e-bikes for park rangers since 2024.
“These e-bikes reduce our state parks’ environmental footprint and encourage sustainability while also helping our amazing park rangers manage natural resources and deliver outstanding visitor services and experiences,” said Julia Gill Woodward, CEO of the Florida State Parks Foundation. “We are thrilled to add 25 more e-bikes to the fleet and can’t wait to see them put to use all over the state.”
E-bikes provide rangers with quick, easy transportation across expansive park landscapes and can navigate rugged, remote areas that may be inaccessible to large vehicles. Their quiet motors also ensure peaceful surroundings for visitors and wildlife while not producing any emissions.
Carousel E-Bikes of Ocala facilitated the purchase, assembly and delivery of this year’s e-bike allotment.
“No matter the park or task, our rangers are finding new and creative uses for these e-bikes all the time,” Florida State Parks Director Chuck Hatcher said. “They are a huge help, our rangers love using them and they make a real difference in so many aspects of park management and operations. Thank you to the Florida State Parks Foundation and everyone involved in providing them.”
The Foundation’s Greener Initiative was created to identify and implement projects and amenities that reduce waste and emissions, lower energy costs and enhance experiences for park visitors.
Previous Greener Initiative projects include:
— Water-bottle refilling stations at 98 state parks and trails.
— Hundreds of battery-powered, zero-emissions tools and machinery through a partnership with STIHL, Inc.
Seventy-five e-bikes for state parks (including today’s allotment).
— 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.
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 25,000 state parks enthusiasts and nature lovers have purchased an “Explore Our State Parks” specialty license plate since its debut in 2022.
“The best thing about the license plate is that it has made a real, tangible impact that anyone can see when they visit their favorite state parks,” Florida State Parks Foundation Board President Matt Caldwell said. “This latest fleet of e-bikes is just the latest example, and we are already looking forward to announcing more Greener projects as soon as possible.”
Tim Linafelt
Florida State Parks Foundation
+1 850-559-8914
email us here
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