LANSING, Mich. — State Sen. Jim Runestad announced on Wednesday that he has introduced legislation to protect young children from accidents caused by electric bicycles (e-bikes).

“I’ve seen too many freak accidents where young children wind up seriously harmed while riding one of these e-bikes,” said Runestad, R-White Lake. “They aren’t the traditional bicycles that I rode when I was a kid — these bikes can have way too much power for young children to be able to manage, which can result in injuries to themselves or to other bicyclists or bystanders.”

Senate Bill 1156 would ban children under the age of 14 from riding an e-bike on a public sidewalk, road or trail. Runestad’s legislation would also require children above the age of 14 and below the age of 18 to have written permission from a parent or guardian and wear a safety helmet while riding.

The bill also contains financial penalties for those who violate the safety guidelines.

Runestad’s legislation comes as several local and city ordinances throughout Michigan are cracking down on e-bike use as injuries remain on the rise.

Most e-bikes can reach top speeds of up to 30 mph, which is significantly faster than most standard bicycles. Experienced riders do not typically exceed 15 mph.

“Due to the fast speeds e-bikes are capable of reaching, riders must possess the required mental and physical capabilities to ride safely — skills that are often underdeveloped in young children,” Runestad said. “This is just a simple safety check regarding the public use of these bikes.”

Runestad’s legislation is expected to be formally introduced on Thursday, Sept. 10.

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