Editorial: Assemblyman’s bill for e-bike safety rings true

California lawmakers are trying to catch up with the growing popularity of e-bikes, especially among younger riders.

A late-in-session proposal last year sought to ban minors under age 12 from riding some electric-assist mobility devices. It also would have required older minors and adults to pass an online written safety test to get a state-issued license, which they would be required to carry.

That bill is also on the Legislature’s agenda, having been referred to the Assembly’s Transportation Committee.

Now Marin’s assemblyman, Damon Connolly, is proposing another approach, one that focuses only on prohibiting youth under age 16 from riding class 2 electric bikes.

Those e-bikes are equipped with an electric motor that propels the bike without pedaling, similar to a moped. It is also pedal propelled.

Class 1 e-bikes require pedaling to engage the bike’s electric motor.

It’s the growing popularity of e-bikes among Marin youngsters that has Connolly worried.

If passed, his bill would also require riders, regardless of age, to wear helmets.

That should be a no-brainer for riders – and state lawmakers.

The motor can reach 20 mph – faster than conventional bikes and class 1 e-bikes, which are not equipped with throttles.

State law already prohibits minors under 16 from riding class 3 e-bikes, which can exceed 28 mph.

Connolly believes the state should add class 2 e-bikes to that law.

The San Rafael Democrat has statistics that support his bill. For example, between Oct. 10 and Nov. 10, 22% of 41 local 911 calls for bike accidents involved e-bikes. More than 70% of the bike accident calls involved e-bikes and riders ages 10 to 19.

Kids and bike accidents are not unusual, but an e-bike’s speed and weight compounds the possible severity of injuries.

Mill Valley last year adopted e-bike safety regulations, banning them from being ridden on sidewalks and setting speed limits. The police department has already issued 53 citations requiring youth and their parents to take hour-long e-bike safety courses.

Novato is also considering e-bike regulations.

A state law would bring greater uniformity to e-bike laws, which would aid public awareness, compliance and enforcement.

There are advantages to e-bikes, especially for those who without the aid of a throttle would have trouble riding up Marin’s hills.

Their popularity also is a sign of more people getting around the county without their cars.

But a reasonable and responsible level of safety for all must be the top priority.

When it comes to kids, class 2 e-bikes are too much, in terms of the ability to control the vehicles and in terms of the significance of injuries should they be involved in accidents.

Recent statistics, in Marin alone, are an indication of both the growing popularity of e-bikes and accidents involving them.

Connolly’s legislation is on the right track.