Oregon to defy national crackdown on e-bikes with proposed new laws that encourage kids to ride them

While some states are cracking down on e-bikes, Oregon could be set to go the other way and allow kids as young as 14 to use electronic bikes, and it comes with very sound reasoning.

When it comes to laws surrounding e-bikes, the United States is pretty divided. 

Some states, including New Jersey, have called for stricter measures, such as licenses and insurance for riders. 

However, Oregon is doing things a little differently and could be set to lower age restrictions.

DISCOVER SBX CARS – The global premium auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie 

Oregon could be set to change the rules when it comes to e-bikes

There have been some interesting new developments when it comes to e-bikes in recent months, like this smart little device that can turn any bike into an e-bike.

Or this electric moped that can do a 0-30mph time of just 1.7 seconds and has a top speed of 65mph. 

There’s also been a big rise in high-powered e-bikes, prompting some states to bring in new laws, including ones that essentially view an e-bike as a motorcycle and therefore subject to the same rules and regulations. 

And in Oregon, House Bill 4007 could change make some big changes to how electric bikes are used. 

HB 2007 is designed to fix a number of potential pitfalls when it comes to e-bike use. 

The bill would bring several key changes, one of which is lowering the age for riding Class 1 e-bikes or e-scooters with a top speed of 20mph, from 16 to 14.

And all riders under the age of 16 would be required to wear a safety helmet.

The new rules would also add a legal definition of what a ‘powered micromobility device’ is into Oregon law.

This change would help make the rules clearer when it came to separating the likes of e-skateboards and OneWheels, from e-bikes, motorcycles, and mopeds.

HB 4007 would also make ‘offenses of improper sale or lease of a vehicle and selling imposter bikes, punishable by a maximum fine of $250’, and raise the speed limit on e-scooters from 15mph to 20mph.

Click the star icon next to supercarblondie.com in Google Search to stay ahead of the curve on the latest and greatest supercars, hypercars, and ground-breaking technology

Why the new rules actually make things safer

Although the thought of lowering the age of e-bike riders might cause panic for some parents, an expert from The Street Trust has explained why it actually makes a lot of sense. 

The Street Trust recognizes that e-bikes have grown in popularity with younger people. 

Jake Weigler, a political consultant who is working with The Street Trust told Bike Portland that lawmakers needed to respond to this growing popularity to keep kids safe. 

“There are a lot of kids excited about these bikes, and we want to facilitate using them safely, and now there’s not a lot of clarity in the market to help families make good decisions,” he said.

The law change would also mean that kids under the age of 16 can take e-bike safety classes, something which is currently not permitted.

DISCOVER SBX CARS: The global premium car auction platform powered by Supercar Blondie