Officials in Los Gatos say a batch of new California laws should help rein in unsafe riding and push illegal, motorcycle-like "e-motos" off neighborhood streets, while a local safe-routes advocate says the state has more to do, San José Spotlight reported Saturday.
Gov. Gavin Newsom signed four bills on the subject, according to the outlet. One cracks down on selling e-motos that can go faster than legal e-bikes. Another requires additional safety equipment on certain e-bikes. A third sets a 10 mph limit for e-bikes on sidewalks, and a fourth calls for a statewide safety training program for preteen riders.
Marketing rules
Los Gatos Mayor Rob Moore told Spotlight he is most pleased with Senate Bill 1167, which toughens the ban on marketing e-motos as e-bikes that can legally be ridden on the street.
"That's been a big part of the problem," Moore said. "Consumers are being marketed these illegal motorcycles and don't do their own research."
His advice to parents trying to figure out what their child can legally ride is to "shop local, shop legal." Unlike online sellers, neighborhood shops can walk families through the rules and match a bike to a rider's age and skill, he said.
Calls for age limits
Wendy Riggs, executive director of Los Gatos-Monte Sereno Safe Routes to School, told the outlet she supports the new laws but wants the state to go further.
She would generally limit Class 1 e-bikes, which give pedal assist only and top out at 20 mph, to riders 12 and older, and reserve Class 2 and Class 3 bikes, which have throttles and reach up to 28 mph, for riders 16 and older.