Are Teens on Ebikes the ‘New Hells Angels’? Not So Fast, Boomers

The recent surge in electric bike sales during the pandemic has given way to a regulatory backlash against e-motorcycles and other high-speed vehicles masquerading as ebikes. Authorities scrambling to rein in these speedsters risk stifling the growth of legitimate ebikes, which are transforming urban mobility.

In California, where the problem is most acute, authorities are playing catch-up with cheap, speedy e-motos that have flourished through unchecked online sales. These vehicles often exceed speed and power limits set for actual ebikes, making it difficult for consumers to know what they’re buying. Critics argue that this regulatory wild west is putting local and state officials on a collision course with the broader ebike movement.

The ebike revolution has been a quiet success story, with millions of Americans embracing electric bikes as a convenient, environmentally friendly alternative to cars for short trips. New kinds of two-wheeled vehicles have entered the market, often labeled as ebikes but in reality, e-motos with frames more akin to motorcycles and dirt bikes.

Ebikes are subject to strict rules about battery power (no more than 750 watts), operable pedals, and top speeds. But mis-marketed “junk” vehicles have given real ebikes a bad rap, said Kendra Ramsey, director of the California Bicycle Coalition. Her organization advocates for policies that promote the benefits of riding bikes, including ebikes, and protect riders on the road.

The problem is not just with e-motos themselves but also with how they’ve disrupted the market. Authorities are responding to this “legal gray area” by adding bureaucratic barriers that will deter people of all ages from riding ebikes. This could have unintended consequences for commuters who’ve tapped into ebikes’ convenience and low environmental impact.

One solution would be to prohibit retailers from advertising these illegal bikes in the first place, as a bipartisan effort in California’s state legislature aims to do. Retailers like Brett Thurber of The New Wheel are caught in the crossfire, trying to educate customers about the hazards of unregulated vehicles while promoting legitimate ebikes.

Kids and parents call Thurber’s shops seeking to buy e-motorcycles, which community-based businesses like his don’t sell. He uses these opportunities to educate people on the hazards of unregulated vehicles and promote the benefits of legal ebikes.

In this regulatory tug-of-war, legitimate ebikes are caught in the crossfire. Authorities need to rethink their approach and focus on precise targeting rather than scattershot regulation. This will require a nuanced understanding of the market and its players – including e-moto retailers who’ve marketed freedom and coolness to young buyers.

Ultimately, this is about promoting sustainable urban mobility for all. Riders are going to do it illegally or lose out on the freedom that an ebike can provide. The stakes are high, but there’s still time to get it right – and ensure that the ebike revolution continues to ride smoothly into the future.