Why this matters:
As e-bikes grow in popularity, concerns about their safety, especially for younger children, are on the rise. Public officials in some communities are looking for ways to prevent accidents.
At least one San Diego city has moved to ban children under 12 from operating electric bicycles – and more are considering doing the same.
Coronado was first in the region to enact new e-bike restrictions made possible through a temporary state law that impacts San Diego County only. Local governments have the choice to opt-in to the pilot program which launched at the beginning of the year. Its aim is to address concerns over the safety of children and reduce traffic collisions.
The program, which runs through Jan. 1, 2029, allows local governments across San Diego County to prohibit riders under 12 from operating class 1 and class 2 electric bikes, which have motors that reach speeds of 20 mph. After the program ends, state legislators can weigh whether to continue it.
Coronado City Council received complaints about e-bike riders in the city not wearing helmets, moving at “reckless” speeds, being inattentive, carrying too many passengers and riding on sidewalks where pedestrian collisions may be more common, according to a city staff report.
Coronado began enforcement on Jan. 4. The city is starting with warnings for children under 12 years old found riding e-bikes within the City of Coronado. A city official for Coronado said they have issued one verbal warning to an underage rider since the warning period began.
Starting March 4, underage riders in Coronado can expect to receive a citation with a $25 fee.
Alternatively, parents can present documentation that the rider has completed an e-bike safety and training program within 120 days of the citation to avoid the fee.
Representatives of other coastal cities, including Carlsbad and Solana Beach, have also spoken publicly in support of the state bill and have said they hope to enact the pilot program locally as well.
Chula Vista Councilmember Michael Inzunza has also spoken out in support of the law and said that the city is currently considering implementing the pilot program. He told inewsource that the program will provide “improved safety for cyclists, reduced traffic congestion, and increased accessibility for those who rely on active transportation.”
inewsource reached out to San Diego officials, including Mayor Todd Gloria’s office, but did not hear back in time for publication.
According to data compiled by the Coronado police and fire departments, on average, there are about 11 e-bike collisions in the city annually. Of these, adults make up 52% of collisions while those under 18 account for 48% of e-bike collisions.
Several news reports have detailed collisions causing injuries, including in Coronado, Oceanside, Carlsbad and Encinitas. In August 2022, a mother in Carlsbad was killed in a collision while riding an e-bike with her young daughter on the back of her bike. Her daughter was uninjured. More recently, a 15-year old from Encinitas was killed in a collision with a work van in June 2023. His mother has since advocated for e-bike safety education programs.
Eliminating traffic collisions will require solutions beyond banning children from riding electric bicycles, some cycling advocates say.
According to Kevin Baross, education manager for the San Diego County Bike Coalition, current roadway infrastructure and education programs – for both riders and drivers – are lacking. He says that he doesn’t think limiting children from getting outside and riding their electric bikes is the solution.
“Are we ready to admit that we’ve designed the world in a way that kids can’t navigate?” Baross questioned.
Many school districts, such as Poway Unified and Encinitas Union, have set up additional education measures, requiring students to take an e-bike safety course before they are permitted to bring their e-bikes to school.
The new pilot program specifically seeks to address limited regulation surrounding class 1 and 2 e-bikes. Classifications for e-bikes are a way to identify different features and motor capabilities.
Class 1 and 2 e-bikes provide riders with up to 20 mph of motor assistance. Class 2 e-bikes are distinguished by a throttle feature, where riders do not have to pedal to engage the motor. Class 3 e-bikes, which reach assisted speeds of 28 mph, are already limited to riders 16 years and older. All e-bikes require pedals.
“As an avid cyclist and a mother, my goal is to ensure that California’s young riders are educated on the rules of the road to increase their safety and the safety of other road users,” said Assemblymember Tasha Boerner in a press release announcing e-bike training legislation that led to the pilot program.
Boerner, D-Encinitas, represents many coastal areas including Carlsbad, Encinitas, La Jolla and Coronado, among others.
Don Berschauer, a cyclist in Del Mar, said he is often concerned about being involved in a collision with young e-bike riders in the area. He says he thinks young people riding e-bikes often lack the understanding of riding standard bikes that make the weight of electric bikes more consequential.
“Nowadays, kids don’t ride as much,” Berschauer said. “Jumping on a heavy e-bike–kids didn’t have the chance to learn.”
He says he thinks the new program could be beneficial for kids and other bicyclists.
Public officials and advocacy groups have made reducing traffic related fatalities and injuries a top priority for the San Diego region. On average each year, there are about 10 cyclist deaths and about 77 serious injuries involving cyclists in San Diego County.
Type of Content
News: Based on facts, either observed and verified directly by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
