Kids Bike Safe is an advocacy group of concerned citizens and parents. We urge the California State Legislature to take immediate action and create a minimum age requirement for all E-Bike users to 16 years old. This change is necessary to improve the safety of our adolescent riders and promote responsible usage of electric bicycles across our state. Many people, incluing law enforcement categorize E-Bikes as basically the same as motorcycles and mopeds which both have a minimum age requirement of 16 years of age.

E-Bikes have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their convenience and eco-friendly nature. According to a report by the National Bicycle Dealers Association, total sales revenues surpassed $1.3 billion in sales in 2022, which was a 44% increase in sales compared to 2021. This trend is expected to continue and is consistent with increased danger to our youth.

California has no age restrictions for Class 1 and Class 2 E-Bikes. Class 3 E-Bikes have a 16 year old minimum age requirement due to the 28 mile per hour maximum speed. Class 1 and Class 2 E-Bikes are manufactured with a 20 mile per hour maximum speed but can easily be modified to go much faster. We have received comments from concerned citizens and personally witnessed E-Bikes traveling at excessive speeds, running red lights and stops signs, riding recklessly, doing "wheelies", 2 kids on 1 bike without a second seat, texting, riding with no hands, no helmets or helmets not fastened and many other dangerous activities.

Here are some compelling reasons why it is crucial to raise the minimum age for all E-Bike users.
1. Safety Concerns: According to a study conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), younger riders are more prone to accidents compared to older individuals.
2. Physical Capability: Electric bicycles can reach higher speeds than traditional bikes due to their motorized assistance. Younger riders lack the physical strength and coordination required for safe maneuvering at these increased speeds, increasing their vulnerability in traffic situations.
3. Essentially no rules of the road training: Young children are riding what are essentially motorcycles in the street, with no experience driving, minimal training, with no safety gear other possibly a helmet that may or may not be effective in a crash.
4. Maturity and Decision-Making Skills: Teenagers undergo significant cognitive development during their adolescent years, which affects their decision-making abilities and impulse control. Raising the minimum age will allow young individuals more time for maturity before engaging in such hazardous activities.

5. Consistency with Existing Regulations and Precedence. In the United States, many states already have stricter regulations than California. According to ebiksx.com, Massachusetts and Wisconsin both have a licensing requirement with a minimum age of 16. Washington State has a minimum 16 year old requirement, per ladenburglaw.com. Oregon State has a minimum 16 year old
requirement, per velotricbike.com. Many countries such as British Columbia (per yahoo) and Israel (per google) already require a minimum age of 16 or above for operating electric bicycles on public roads. There is a clear precedence both nationally and internationally for the minimum age of 16.

We have had many conversations with different community leaders from the healthcare industry, law enforcement, politician/s, bicycle group/s, martial arts instructors, parent teacher organization/s, high school/college students, educators, every day concerned citizens and parents. Most people agree that something needs to be done.

We believe that the currently drafted legislation of a minimum age of 12 years old for Class 1 and Class 2 riders is not enough. The biggest issue is kids between the ages of 12 and 15. These are the ages in-which there is the most peer pressure to ride an E-Bike and the start of the natural desire for independence. The minimum age of 16 is the least we can do that we believe can get passed into
law relatively quickly.

By implementing this change, we aim not only to protect our youth but also create a safer environment for all road users. It is essential to strike a balance between promoting sustainable transportation options and ensuring the well beings of our communities. We do support exercise, clean energy, reduced traffic and other benefits of E-Bikes. At the same time, we want to keep our
kids as safe as possible.

We call upon the California State Legislature to prioritize this issue and pass legislation that increases the minimum age requirement for all E-Bike riders to 16 years of age. Let us work together towards creating safer roads and fostering responsible E-Bike usage in our State.

Thank you for your attention to this matter. Below are a few articles with important information regarding recent incidents and topics that have risen with young children on our roads.

https://fortune.com/2023/06/01/e-bike-injuries-trauma-experts-warn-numbers-health-carolyn-barber/​

https://www.wired.com/story/do-not-put-kids-on-electric-bikes/​

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/29/health/ebikes-safety-teens.html

We encourage you to sign this petition and distribute the link to your contacts. We are doing what we can to support this cause and need your help!

Please email us at kidsbikesafe@gmail.com, with any comments, concerns and interest in supporting our vital cause. Kids Bike Safe is an advocacy group with no hidden agenda or conflict of interest. We will be establishing a process to receive donations and distributing this information asap.