On July 1, a Marin County law took effect, banning anyone under the age of 16 from operating class two electric bikes (e-bikes). Recently, this law has been reshaping how students get around. Students who had previously ridden a class two e-bike now struggle to travel around town and to school.
The enforcement of this law makes Marin the first county in California to set an age restriction on class two e-bikes. In California, these e-bikes are classified as having a motor that boosts riders up to 20 miles per hour and can be operated using a throttle or pedal-assist. The measure also strengthens helmet requirements for all riders.
Currently, Corte Madera police are cracking down on teens riding e-bikes on streets surrounding school, now ticketing youth. An anonymous sophomore, who will be referred to as “Joe,” was pulled over on Doherty Drive, a street adjacent to school, and given a fine…