The California Highway Patrol released this week a online safety program for electric bikes, as required by a state law signed by the governor last year.
The law, Assembly Bill 1946, authored by Assemblywoman Tasha Boerner, D-Encinitas, was signed by the governor last fall. It gave the CHP until September 2023 to launch an electric bike program in response to the increase in electric bikes on California highways, which has led to an increase in traffic collisions involving electric bikes.
“I am delighted to see the launch of the California Highway Patrol e-bike training program,” Boerner said in a statement. “I am especially grateful for the time and effort they have put into collaborating with a diverse group of stakeholders. I hope all e-bike riders will take the time to review e-bike safety, emergency maneuvering techniques, traffic regulations and other e-bike related laws.”
The online course consists of 11 sections covering topics such as proper gear and equipment, road rules and bicycle laws, hazard avoidance, and best practices.
AB 1946 passed the state Assembly 73-0 last year, with seven members not voting, and the Senate 37-0, with three not voting, before being signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom.
Local cities have also taken steps to improve the safety of cyclists. Encinitas and Carlsbad have adopted diversion programs, which allow first-time offenders to take an approved online safety course when they receive citations on their bicycles or e-bikes. The Solana Beach City Council also recently passed an ordinance, pending second reading next month, that would include a diversion program.
Another Boerner bill, AB 530, would require e-bike riders to pass an online test and obtain a state-issued identification card if they don’t have driver’s licenses. The bill, which does not head to the governor’s table this year, would also ban children under 12 from riding electric bikes. It has met with some opposition from e-bike enthusiasts, who agree that new riders, especially children, should take to the roads on e-bikes with more education, but also think that the requirements in the bill would be too heavy.
“I don’t know if they would kill the movement,” Karl Rudnick, a Solana Beach resident and instructor with the League of American Bicyclists who teaches e-bike safety classes, said in a recent interview. “I’m not sure it will change it. I don’t even know how it would be enforced. Kids don’t go around with ID. It seems like a nightmare.”
Solana Beach Deputy Mayor David Zito echoed that sentiment during a recent council meeting: “If we’re going to send all these kids to the DMV, that’s going to kill the movement,” referring to local kids who are going on their electric bikes to school.
Boerner said in a statement last month that AB 530 is at the beginning of a “long process” that will continue with meetings this fall.
“As a parent and legislator, I believe we must act to prevent injury to our youth and educate parents on the promise and responsibility of e-bikes, and AB 530 is another step to increase their safety while sharing the road.” he said in the statement. “Not all parents are cyclists who can ensure that our young people receive the proper training.”
2023-09-02 00:05:36
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