Near-misses with a kid whizzing by on an electric bicycle may be a common nuisance these days, but some incidents can end in tragedy.
As a growing number of e-bike related accidents — particularly ones involving children — raise alarm among residents and legislators, two bills that aim to expand e-bike safety in California are on their way to the governor’s desk.
Earlier this week the Legislature passed a proposal that would set up a pilot program in San Mateo County banning children under 12 from riding certain lower-speed e-bikes. Parents or guardians whose children violate the law will be issued a $25 fine. At the end of the pilot, which is scheduled to sunset in 2031, the county must submit a report to the Legislature about the program, including the number of traffic stops initiated for a citation…