Councilmember Lander Introduces Legislation to Regulate Electric Bikes

Who gets to use a bike lane?

Well, that depends on who you ask. According to Councilmember Brad Lander, the rules regarding one type of two-wheeler, the electric bike, are unclear.

“These e-bikes travel in a legal black hole – some agencies consider them bicycles, others consider them mopeds," said Lander.

Use of electric bicycles has increased in the city, said Lander, which prompted him to introduce legislation calling for a task force to study what the laws actually are.

"In the interest of everyone’s safety, including the electric bicycle riders themselves, this legislation would convene a taskforce of the relevant agencies to make recommendations about new city and state rules to put in place," he said.

Lander added that electric bikes "represent a new, potentially useful transportation option," but can be hazardous if their use isn't regulated.

"Electric bikes can accelerate much faster than a bicycle and represent a potential hazard without clear city and state laws about where and how they can be ridden," he said.

The legislation was introduced Wednesday.