California looks to revamp youth e-bike rules as popularity increases
As e-bikes get more popular a new state bill is looking to change the rules, specifically for youth riders.
Transcript
00:00 (upbeat music)
00:03 As e-bikes get more popular,
00:04 as a new state bill is looking to change the rules,
00:08 specifically for youth riders.
00:10 Richard Allen has more.
00:11 It was convenient for people.
00:14 LaToya Blakey understands the attraction of e-bikes.
00:17 They're a less expensive
00:18 and more flexible form of transportation.
00:21 But when it comes to kids riding them.
00:23 That kind of gave me a little cause for concern
00:25 'cause majority don't even have on the proper helmet
00:28 or any kind of gear for it.
00:31 She is for assembly bill 530,
00:33 which would forbid kids under 12 from riding e-bikes
00:36 and require a special state issued license
00:39 for those who don't already have a driver's license.
00:42 This would include passing an online written test,
00:45 as well as taking part in an e-bike safety training program
00:48 through the DMV and CHP.
00:51 We wanna keep everybody safe, right?
00:53 Mom Jillian Simjack would like to see
00:55 the proposed age limit increased.
00:57 I don't think anybody younger than 12,
01:01 probably even, I mean, younger than 15 or 16
01:04 should really be riding those e-bikes.
01:06 It's really dangerous.
01:07 It's really scary.
01:08 Honestly, I would like to see the age raised to 18.
01:12 Sam Lees is also a strong supporter
01:14 of the move to license e-bike operators.
01:17 So I think it'll lead to just safer streets
01:19 and better practices.
01:20 I mean, on regular bikes enough,
01:22 it's so dangerous and kids and adults
01:25 are getting killed all the time.
01:27 In fact, the National Transportation Safety Board
01:29 found that between 2017 and 2021,
01:32 there were 53 deaths from e-bike accidents across the US.
01:37 Last month, a 15 year old boy was killed
01:40 on an e-bike in Encinitas.
01:41 And last year in Carlsbad, a mother died
01:44 while riding an e-bike with her daughter in a safety seat.
01:48 Assembly member Tasha Berner,
01:49 whose district includes both these cities,
01:52 is proposing this new legislation requiring a license,
01:55 which LaToya Blakey believes is simply common sense.
01:59 I mean, don't they have to get licenses to fish?
02:01 You know, so I mean, yeah,
02:03 it should be something like that in place.