Controversial New Bill Proposed to Implement Licensing for E-Bikers
In response to the surge in e-bike popularity and the corresponding increase in collisions, a new Californian bill is on the horizon. Under the bill, children under 12 would be prohibited from riding e-bikes. Riders aged 12 and above would be required to complete an online course and written test. Additionally, those without a driver's license would need to obtain a state ID.
Assemblymember Tasha Boerner introduced the bill on Feb. 9, echoing last year's AB 530 which failed to advance. The proposed legislation aims to implement education and licensing requirements for e-bike riders. Boerner emphasized the need for riders to understand and adhere to road rules, especially when sharing the roads with cars and pedestrians.
Cities are actively enhancing enforcement efforts, with some implementing a diversion program allowing ticketed e-bike riders to complete a safety course instead of paying fines. The push for statewide regulations comes as local leaders seek consistency to avoid a patchwork of rules across communities.
Related: This Chainless Pedaling System May Be The Future of Electric Bike Technology
Safety Concerns
Recent injuries and fatalities on local roads in the area, such as the collision that claimed the life of 35-year-old e-biker Christine Hawk in Carlsbad, have heightened the sense of urgency. Emergency declarations and safety improvements have followed tragic incidents, emphasizing the need for comprehensive e-bike safety measures.
Rimga Viskanta, president of the San Dieguito Union High School District’s board of trustees, stressed the growing priority of e-bike safety for student well-being. Elected officials at a press conference echoed the sentiment, calling for collective efforts to address the pressing e-bike safety situation.
For her part at the same press conference, Boerner had this to say about the overall safety of e-bikers in the area:
“E-bikes provide that sense of freedom that so many school-aged kids and Californians are looking for, but it’s crucial that we ensure that they know how to ride using the rules of our roads and make safe and smart decisions when sharing the roads with cars and pedestrians.”
Too Much Regulation? Or Not Enough Infrastructure?
While the focus of the press conference and bill is to do with safety for the riders, many online pundits are striking back with concerns over the regulatory impacts may have on registration, ticketing, and insurance. Some even go as far as to say that this is just another way for the government to intervene in the day-to-day lives of citizens.
Yes as we have seen with regards to e-bike batteries and the concerns over their safety, sometimes a degree of regulation can have positive effects by putting restrictions on certain unsafe practices or products. There are already restrictions in California that don't allow anyone under the age of 16 to operate a Class 3 electric bike, so there has been a precedent set in this area.
However, the main concern that I have has less to do with regulating specific age groups and what they can or cannot ride. It moreso has to do with existing mobility infrastructure and how antiquated it is in many parts of the world when it comes to integrating bicycles into the flow of traffic.
More time and money need to be spent on improving the integration of micro-mobility sectors into the traditional traffic infrastructure. As the number of e-bikes, scooters, mopeds and traditional bicycles increases on the road, more education and concrete infrastructure need to be implemented to reduce the amount of accidents on the road and increase the road awareness of both riders and drivers.
Overall, this type of proposed law will always find naysayers on both sides of the bill. And having the ability to discuss each point of view and come to a logical conclusion or agreement is how these debates get settled. Safety should always be the main concern and trying to find a balanced solution that reduces the number of traffic incidents while allowing people the autonomy to live their lives without overarching control from the government should be the overall goal.
