CALIFORNIA CONSIDERS MAKING A DRIVER’S LICENSE REQUIREMENT FOR ALL E-BIKES
I’ve always wanted to get an e-bike. But with (having) kids these days, it’s a luxury fun item that hasn’t made its way to the top of the To Do (or get) list. But I see them all the time, both on semi-remote park trails, on the roads, and everywhere in metropolitan areas. They look like fun, and make it easy for people to get around, regardless of their leg strength. But boy, e-bikes can go fast for anyone who rides them. I’ve wondered when laws would change to address that. And the answer appears to be pretty darn soon, as California is now considering a driver’s license just to ride an e-bike.
Read More: Tick Delivered Meat Allergy Syndrome Numbers Are Spiking, As Most Doctors Remain Clueless
E-BIKES ARE EASY FOR ANYONE TO RIDE, BUT NEW CALI LAW WOULD BAN ANYONE UNDER 12
It’s taken the form of California Assembly Bill 130, which would create said driver’s license to ride an e-bike, and create an age minimum of 12 years. Apparently, California legislators think that kids these days riding an e-bike have no idea about what the traffic laws are. And, well, that’s a pretty fair concern. I’m old enough that when I rode a bike as a kid, virtually no one wore a helmet, including me. And anyone, including a kid, can easily do 30-40 miles an hour riding an e-bike while going downhill (that’s part of why I want one for fun, tbh).
Related:
Wanksy Makes Return, Paints Naughties to Fix Suffolk, England Streets
WE SHOULD HAVE LAWS AND REQUIREMENTS FOR E-BIKES, AS PLENTY OF ADULT RIDERS ARE IDIOTS
But to be further honest, I never really thought about kids (these days) riding e-bikes when I was wondering about new laws to address e-riders. I mostly see adults riding them. Well, and those embarrassing mono-wheel thingies, electric skateboards and who knows what else. And adult rider judgement and common sense seems to be nearly universally lacking, especially when it comes to intersections and proximity to pedestrians. On state park trails, while walking you often can’t hear the idiot riding an e-bike up your six doing 30mph until it’s too late to know where to move.
So I think California is on the right track to start this. But it would be better to get some federal guidance for more universal standards. Because e-bikes and other new riding devices are only getting more powerful and more accessible to all. And that includes every idiot you know, not just kids (these days).
