- Reckless riders in Irvine could also face fines of up to $500.
- Authorities want to hold parents accountable for e-bike riders.
- Speed limits of 20 mph could also be enforced on sidewalks.
You’ve probably noticed it too: e-bikes are everywhere these days, and not always in the safest hands. Across the country, cities are scrambling to respond to a rise in reckless riding, much of it by young teens weaving through streets and sidewalks with little regard for rules, or risk. Irvine, California, is now the latest city preparing to take a harder stance.
Read: Florida Wants To Make You Get A License To Ride Your E-Bike
The city council in Irvine has voted 6-1 in favor of new restrictions targeting e-bikes and scooter use. Among the most significant changes are stricter penalties for modifying e-bikes to exceed legal speed limits, expanded powers for local police to impound vehicles, and the potential for repeat violations to be treated as misdemeanors.
When Parents Share the Blame
Repeat offenders may soon find themselves facing more than just a warning. Fines could reach up to $500, particularly for riders caught flouting the new rules multiple times. Local officials also want to increase accountability among parents, especially those who knowingly allow their children to ride in violation of city ordinances.
A growing number of young locals have been seen riding their e-bikes dangerously on sidewalks, bicycle paths, and roads. As part of the changes, 20 mph speed limits will be enforced on bicycle paths and trails, and a 10 mph limit on sidewalks. Sidewalk speed limits would drop further to 5 mph when children are present in school zones.
Before authorities take the step to impound e-bikes of repeat offenders, Irvine Police Department lieutenant Shaheen Jahangard says officers will need to consider several important factors, Voice of OC reports.
“Discretion is going to depend on the circumstances of the situation — how compliant the juvenile is when they’re being detained or stopped for the violation, what the violation is, how egregious is it, are their parents or guardian able to respond to pick up their electric bicycle,” Jahangard said.
“There’s a lot of factors the officers will take into consideration before impounding an e-bike.”
In the past three years, 70 percent of bicycle collisions in Irvine have involved a juvenile rider, and 65 percent of them involved an e-bike. Cracking down on reckless riders seems like common sense, particularly as powerful e-bikes become increasingly popular among the youth.
