City officials in Irvine, Calif., could soon join several other towns in holding parents of e-bike riders responsible for their kids’ reckless behavior. The potential new regulations are being prompted by numerous collisions and instances of excessive speed among teenagers and other young e-bike riders.
The growing use of e-bikes and similar scooters, while convenient and beneficial for the environment, has also created what some call a new threat to public safety. Numerous residents and elected officials in Orange County, Calif., are now calling for tighter restrictions on e-bikes.
The proliferation of e-bikes has led to a new need for regulation
According to Voice of the OC, residents say teenagers and other young riders endanger themselves and others by recklessly riding e-bikes on roadways, sidewalks, and bike paths. More than half of the county’s cities have adopted some form of regulation.
Now, Irvine and other towns are looking to tighten these ordinances even further. The Voice of OC reports that the city may soon hold parents responsible for their kids’ reckless e-bike riding through citations and fines. Violations could soon be classified as misdemeanors. Habitually reckless riders could also face $500 fines after multiple violations…