SAN DIEGO — Amid a nationwide rise in e-bike accidents, a new bill in California seeks to address safety concerns, particularly for younger riders. Assembly Bill 2234, introduced by Assemblymember Tasha Boerner, D-San Diego, proposes a pilot program in San Diego County that would prohibit children 12 and under from operating e-bikes.

E-bike popularity has surged in recent years, with riders like Jack Brew, a Marina del Rey resident, preferring the convenience of electric bikes over traditional transportation.

“I find it a lot more enjoyable to go from A to B while being on a bike rather than sitting in my car in traffic,” Brew said.

However, the growing number of young riders has raised safety concerns. Brew noted that many of these younger riders are often seen performing dangerous stunts and disregarding traffic rules.

“They are doing wheelies and burnouts, going pretty fast when they should be going slow,” Brew said.

Boerner’s bill was inspired by the increasing number of e-bike accidents in her district. According to a 2023 report by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, over 53,000 emergency room visits due to e-bike accidents were recorded between 2017 and 2022, resulting in 104 deaths.

“The point is that kids don’t die. That’s the point,” Boerner said, emphasizing the need for safety measures. She hopes that the pilot program in San Diego will pave the way for broader regulations.

Adding that she believes other cities across California will adopt similar measures to ensure young riders' safety while still allowing them the autonomy to ride responsibly when they are older.

For Brew, the key is finding a balance between safety and accessibility.

“I don’t think kids should be banned from riding bikes, but I think cities need to make it a lot safer,” he said.