"Do we want kids to die and ride bikes and be free and all that, or do we just want kids to be safe and not die?"
E-bikes have, for better or worse, become a ubiquitous part of the Southern California surf experience. Like manna, or locusts, depending on your personal bent, they have descended upon beach towns from San Diego to Santa Cruz, whizzing along various bike paths at various freeway speeds, carting whole families plus their Yeti coolers, umbrellas and Wavestorms, cutting the tradition Trestles walk from twenty minutes to two.
Joel Tudor, anti-e-bike, recently posted a video mocking a tens upon tens of freedom machines getting taken out by a rogue wave, recently.
Fans of technology excoriated him for being grouchy.
Thus far, there are very few regulations concerning electric power. They are allowed everywhere that traditional bikes are but the tide may be turning.
During the early part of this summer, in Encinitas just thirty clicks north of San Diego, a well-liked 15-year-old was struck by a work van and tragically died. By all accounts, the boy was not being dangerous nor the driver at fault. Just a horrible accident though one that may lead to changes.
The city council declared a “local state of emergency,” in the aftermath and is debating putting at age limit on e-bikes, require a written test and a photo ID for those without driver’s licenses.
Niko Sougias, owner of Charlie’s Electric Bike in Encinitas, told Channel 10 news, “We should consider maybe 13, 14 or 15-year-olds be exempt from e-bikes. I just cringe anytime I see a kid almost get hit, and it’s like, what are we? Do we want kids to die and ride bikes and be free and all that, or do we just want kids to be safe and not die; I want kids to be safe and not die.”
Former Olympic cyclist Shaun Wallace, though, disagrees, sharing, “Anything that regulates cycling is likely to have a net negative effect whether it’s requiring licensing, or registration or helmets overall because the benefits so outweigh the risks. Perhaps kids under 12 don’t really need an e-bike. It’s not like they’re going off doing the grocery shopping or commuting to work, so if they have to actually pedal the thing themselves on 100% kid power. I think that’s probably not a bad thing either.”
But what are your thoughts on the matter?
Do you believe that e-bikes should be free, that the nanny state will always lead to hell or that common sense has a limit?
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THAT is great news! Those cunts have no clue how to hold a line when not on their stationary Pelotons and should be banned from riding a real bike for the rest of their lives.
Should ban me at the meadow trail…..at least in the old days…No light, full speed.
Fun at the corner today, 1st time all summer for me….sorta short board for me!!…maybe tomorrow as well.
Correction, un-enforced government regulation will make all the problems go away
Nothing is done about e-bikes because the state of CA doesn’t want people to own cars due to global warming and the desire to build high density housing without having to provide parking. They basically want everyone to ride bikes or take public transportation.
So e-bikes get special treatment. They don’t want to discourage ” electric bicycling” which is really a lower-powered electric motorcycle with pedals.
The proof is in the pudding. Here’s the CA DMV rules for motorcycles, mopeds, and scooters – note anything that goes greater than 15 mph requires a motorcycle license and has an age limit; even a gas-powered scooter, which is not allowed to go over 15 mph, requires a driver’s license:
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/port…
Of course e-bikes are intentionally not mentioned in the above, but judging by the DMV standards the e-bike rider should be at least 16 years of age and have passed the written and ridden motorycle test.
Remember, CA is the nanny state that wants to regulate EVERYTHING but it’s been hands-off for e-bikes. Reason being they fit with the agenda of greenies and developers who are politically influential in the state of CA.
Humans are always
Looking for cool ways to die
E Bikes not so cool
WTF with the Sunny shit…WAY more questions than answers. Looks like money talks and bullshit walks. Signed – Concerned Observer.
even if regulated, no cop would pull over the herd of ebikers in socal and go through the huste with the parents
When I was 15, I got ticketed by an Encinitas sheriff for riding a bmx bike on a sidewalk.
When I see the gilded local Gnarabup kids riding their ebikes with their brand new boards and matching new surf apparel I want to run the little cunts over too
I’ll make an exception for you. What drives me nuts are the ones running 2-4 deep on a Monday morning on a windy narrow road around 8am when you are just trying to get to work.
The dry land equivalent of an SUP.
I can’t wait for a few years when all this epoch of e-bikes are discarded and the tweakers get to them in my town. Their bicycle game is strong. Imagine them all with e-bikes that go 25-35mph. A few years time and the fun times truly begin, boys!
BG Gang rides tri-cycles…a few ride uni/
lol
Definitely. Don’t know what happened in this case, but generally if you are using a road you should be regulated – either driving a car or a e-bike or a plain bike. Otherwise its just mad max out there, with serious consequences.
I’ve cycled urban, inner city roads for a good few years, and fully understand you’re nothing against a car.
I can understand thar self organized or chaotic lineups exist, even though you wont catch me there – but roads def needs regulation.
How big’s your road bike, Jen? How many volumes? – Love, Tim Dims
Was the poor kid wearing a helmet? I mean i know the US is land of the free but I cringe whenever im in the states and see a guy on a motorbike flying down the freeway with no helmet.
We brought in mandatory helmets in Australia – for bicycles – years ago. A lot of angst when it came in because girls would apparently stop cycling and get fat because helmets would wreck thei hair. Life went on fine and now its the most normal thing in the world to wear a helmet.
California requires it for kids under 18 on a either a bicycle or e-bike. Visit any coastal town in California all the way up through Newport and you won’t see a single kid on an e-bike wearing one though
All riders and passengers are required per CVC §27803 to wear a U.S. DOT compliant motorcycle safety helmet when riding a motorcycle, motor-driven cycle, or motorized bicycle.”
THIS IS SAD! Chas you should see the motherfuckers screaming around Paris and Biarritz on these rockets…scary to say the least and begging to become bumper pâté.
FYI- Great surfing in Biarritz the last few days and the water is much warmer that your local break.
Now, can we get an Elo update?
Age limit now that’s a joke, around here it’s only wealthy boomers riding them.
Entitled road hogs, worse than a gaggle of lycra clad cyclists.
I’m not sure who I loathe more in the states, Peloton warriors riding their road bikes(yea they are obvious) or ebike mtn bikers. I’m a boomer and won’t consider an ebike until I am severely crippled by the demise of age.
Two sides of the same coin I reckon
Interestingly, around here it’s mostly kids 6-8th grade and most are at least not poor. Some cause havoc, most just cruise doing wheelies.
as between the e-bikes and the e-scooters, I think I’ll take the bikes…
just say no to ‘motor-doping’
I only give regular bikes the right away when I am driving.
those flashy colors are blinding…
Except road bikers.
had a passion for mountain biking at one time. thrilling but so dangerous. what they’re doing now is so INSANE!
from the grapevine…e-bikers are forming a posse and will ride & march right up the 101 en masse just in time for the legends session at which time they will ride to the end of the HB Pier and collectively toss both persons & said bikes over the edge. think sheep. think cliff. think Chas should cover dat!