LANSING, MI — Michigan Sen. Jim Runestad (R-White Lake) has proposed regulating electric bikes on public sidewalks and trails.
Senate Bill 1156 would ban children under the age of 14 from riding an e-bike on a public sidewalk, road or trail.
Additionally, anyone between the ages of 14 and 18 will need written permission from a parent or guardian and wear a safety helmet while riding an electric bike.
Those who violate the safety guidelines could face fines and other penalties under the legislation.
Runestad said the bill will protect young children from accidents caused by electric bicycles (e-bikes).
"I've seen too many freak accidents where young children wind up seriously harmed while riding one of these e-bikes," Runestad said. "They aren't the traditional bicycles that I rode when I was a kid — these bikes can have way too much power for young children to be able to manage, which can result in injuries to themselves or to other bicyclists or bystanders."
Runestad's legislation comes as several local and city ordinances across Michigan are cracking down on e-bike use as injuries remain on the rise.
It also comes as police are seeing an increase in accidents involving e-bikes, including two teens who were struck by a pickup truck in Oakland County on Tuesday.
Most e-bikes can reach top speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, which is significantly faster than most standard bicycles.
"Due to the fast speeds e-bikes are capable of reaching, riders must possess the required mental and physical capabilities to ride safely — skills that are often underdeveloped in young children," Runestad said. "This is just a simple safety check regarding the public use of these bikes."
Runestad plans to formally introduce the bill on Thursday.
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