California City Poised to Crack Down on E-Bikes for Kids Under 12, Public Safety a Top Priority
In a move aimed at prioritizing public safety, the Santee City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance banning e-bikes for children under 12. The new regulation, which will require a second and final vote in December, is part of a state pilot program that allows cities in San Diego County to impose age restrictions on e-bike users.
As of this year, San Diego cities have been given the green light to restrict e-bike use for minors under 12. Santee has now joined the ranks of Chula Vista, Coronado, Poway, and San Marcos in implementing this measure. The city's mayor, John Minto, is a strong supporter of public safety, citing his own experience with e-bikes – he's logged over 6,000 miles on two wheels.
Under the new ordinance, children under 12 are not allowed to operate Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes, which can reach speeds of up to 20 mph. Violators will face a $25 fine for the first 60 days after the ordinance takes effect, with repeat offenses punishable by fines and potentially even parent-child interaction. The city plans to hold public education campaigns to inform parents about the new regulation, particularly those who may unknowingly purchase an e-bike for their underage child.
San Diego Sheriff's Office Deputy David Drake emphasized the importance of helmet-wearing for young e-bike riders, stating that they are required by law to wear helmets if under 17. However, experts caution that simply educating parents may not be enough – Minto is alluding to the need for a more nuanced approach, potentially involving parent-child discussions and consequences for repeated offenses.
With the city council set to finalize the ordinance on December 10th, Santee residents can look forward to a new era of e-bike regulation in their community.
In a move aimed at prioritizing public safety, the Santee City Council has unanimously approved an ordinance banning e-bikes for children under 12. The new regulation, which will require a second and final vote in December, is part of a state pilot program that allows cities in San Diego County to impose age restrictions on e-bike users.
As of this year, San Diego cities have been given the green light to restrict e-bike use for minors under 12. Santee has now joined the ranks of Chula Vista, Coronado, Poway, and San Marcos in implementing this measure. The city's mayor, John Minto, is a strong supporter of public safety, citing his own experience with e-bikes – he's logged over 6,000 miles on two wheels.
Under the new ordinance, children under 12 are not allowed to operate Class 1 or Class 2 e-bikes, which can reach speeds of up to 20 mph. Violators will face a $25 fine for the first 60 days after the ordinance takes effect, with repeat offenses punishable by fines and potentially even parent-child interaction. The city plans to hold public education campaigns to inform parents about the new regulation, particularly those who may unknowingly purchase an e-bike for their underage child.
San Diego Sheriff's Office Deputy David Drake emphasized the importance of helmet-wearing for young e-bike riders, stating that they are required by law to wear helmets if under 17. However, experts caution that simply educating parents may not be enough – Minto is alluding to the need for a more nuanced approach, potentially involving parent-child discussions and consequences for repeated offenses.
With the city council set to finalize the ordinance on December 10th, Santee residents can look forward to a new era of e-bike regulation in their community.
, and kids need guidance on what's safe and not. I had an uncle who bought an e-bike for his little kid, but they didn't wear a helmet at all... it was super scary. Now they're making sure both kids and parents are aware of the risks, which is awesome 
This is about time, kids need to learn how to balance themselves before hitting the roads 
. Safety first, no exceptions 
... I mean, I get it, they're fun and all, but safety first, right? 
"You can't see the whole forest from a single tree." This regulation might be seen as an overreach by some, but at the end of the day, public safety is what matters most. 
By implementing this ban, the city of Santee is taking proactive steps to protect its citizens, especially young ones, from potential risks associated with e-bikes 
But at the same time, I think they're being a bit too harsh, especially with the fine part. I mean, kids can learn responsibility and follow rules without needing to be fined 
. Plus, what about all those families who already have e-bikes for their little ones? It's just not fair 
. Maybe they should find a middle ground or something, like maybe just requiring helmets for under 17s or something... 
I mean, have you seen the videos of kids on e-bikes? They're not even driving, they're just cruising along! It's not like they're going to cause any harm. And what about all the parents who are gonna lose their cool and start yelling at their kids for getting in trouble with this new law? 
This whole thing feels like a setup...
. It's not like the parents are gonna be sitting at home twiddling their thumbs while their kid is out on the streets getting smashed by a car 
. And let's be real, these e-bikes can get pretty fast – I've seen some of my friends' kids do 15 mph in their neighborhood 
! So yeah, $25 fine for not wearing a helmet? That's a drop in the bucket 
. Just tell 'em to buckle up and go for it 
!
Now that Santee's on board, San Diego's got 5 cities covered 
! Fingers crossed this pilot program helps reduce e-bike-related accidents. We'll have to wait and see how it plays out in December 
.
and what about the safety benefits of e-bikes for little ones? my kid has one and shes literally having so much fun on it 
. but idk maybe im just not seeing the bigger picture here... isnt this just a step too far? 
E-bikes are basically just a fancy version of riding a bike, and if parents can't be trusted to make sure their little ones wear helmets and follow the rules, then maybe there's a bigger issue at play. 
) and we were fine. Nowadays, it's all about safety, I get that... but taking away the whole freedom thing from kids under 12 just 'cause they're on an e-bike? That's a bummer 
. Can't they just be taught how to ride responsibly instead of taking everything away?
. The sheriff's office is doin' their job by makin' sure kids wear helmets, and if some parents don't follow the rules, that's on 'em, not the city 
! I live near Santee and I've seen some crazy stuff with kids on e-bikes. It's not just about the safety aspect, it's also about the whole "parenting" thing. Like, come on, parents need to be held accountable too 
. I mean, 12 is a pretty big age gap between childhood and adulthood, right? It's one thing for adults to get around on e-bikes, but for kids under 12 who aren't exactly seasoned cyclists yet... yeah, let's just say it's better to err on the side of caution 
. And what's up with the $25 fine for not wearing a helmet? That's like, what, 10 minutes of your life 
?
it's better to be safe than sorry. gotta keep our streets safe for everyone, especially the little ones 