Source: Electrek

Safety concerns are at the heart of potential e-bike restrictions under consideration by a southern California school district, with an age-based limit to determine which students would be allowed to travel to school on power-assisted bikes. The restrictions are in contrast to other US areas where an educative approach is favoured.

The proposal under examination by the Newport-Mesa Unified School District would effectively ban large numbers of school students from riding e-bikes to school, with a range of restrictions based on their school-grade year. From kindergarten through to sixth grade (in which students are typically 11-12 years old), there would be a total prohibition on them riding e-bikes. Seventh- and eighth-graders (typically 12-14 years old) would also be subject to this prohibition, unless granted written permission by their parents/guardians. Older students of high school age would be mainly unaffected.

Reasoning for the proposed ban

Data has been referenced by the school district from the nearby Costa Mesa area, in which e-bike riders were found to be at fault in 44% of 126 recorded bicycle accidents. It is also noted that the Newport Beach area recently implemented strict local regulations, including fines and possible impounding of e-bikes in cases where rules are violated.

Newport-Mesa district officials say their proposal is aimed at reducing risk, while allowing some flexibility for families, against a backdrop of increasing popularity of e-bikes as a practical mode of independent travel for students.

An alternative approach

Oregon has taken a contrasting position to the outright ban approach, recognising that e-bikes are an inevitable part of the mobility mix, and that early familiarisation with riding them is a preferable path. A key part of a new proposal, House Bill 4007, is lowering the legal riding age from 16 to 14, for Class 1 e-bikes (and e-scooters), capped at 20 mph (32 km/h), with a helmet requirement for any under-16 riders.

The current Oregon law is so restrictive towards e-bikes, that schools cannot legally teach e-bike safety to younger students – effectively leaving a knowledge gap, and expecting children to be able to handle an e-bike safely on their 16th birthday. With earlier e-bike use made legal, a structured education program and school-based training can be implemented, giving both children and their families clearer guidance on safe e-bike riding, before the developing of bad habits.

“There are a lot of kids excited about these bikes and we want to facilitate using them safely, and now there’s not a lot of clarity in the market to help families make good decisions,” explained political consultant Jake Weigler to Bike Portland.