Two proposals aimed at curbing the dangers posed by electric bicycles are headed to the governor’s desk, following a string of accidents statewide that have put e-bike safety back in the spotlight — including cases that hit close to home for Southern California families who worry about similar hazards on local streets and bike paths.
State lawmakers this week approved legislation that would launch a pilot program in San Mateo County barring children younger than 12 from operating certain lower-speed e-bikes. Under the measure, parents or guardians of violators would face a $25 fine. The program is set to expire in 2031, after which county officials must report back to the Legislature on its effectiveness, including data on how many citations were issued.
The bill emerged in response to two fatal e-bike crashes involving children in the Bay Area. One victim, 4-year-old Ayden Fang, was killed in Burlingame last year when an SUV struck him during a chain-reaction crash set off by an 11-year-old riding an e-bike. Fang’s father, Xiaoming Fang, told lawmakers at a recent Assembly hearing that his son’s death was avoidable and that children should not be operating motorized vehicles capable of reaching 20 mph.
A companion measure would give cities and counties greater authority to set speed limits along bike trails, require e-bike retailers to provide safety warnings to buyers, and mandate that certain e-bike models come equipped with speedometers and lights.
Both bills cleared the Legislature with support from both parties, though not without pushback. Advocacy groups such as Streets for All have raised concerns that the measures could lead to excessive policing of young riders. Critics argue that instead of focusing solely on regulating e-bikes, state and local governments should invest more in infrastructure that safely accommodates bicyclists, pedestrians and other road users alike.
For families across the Inland Empire and greater Southern California — where e-bikes have become an increasingly common sight on neighborhood streets, beach paths and school routes — the debate mirrors concerns raised locally about balancing convenience and mobility with public safety, particularly for younger riders.
Original source: CalMatters
