Proposed Solutions To Arizona's E-bike Problem

In response to the Independent's question about regulating electric bikes: Everywhere in Europe and Asia people ride bikes. Everyone knows the rules of the road and is courteous.

In America, we seem to be confused. We spend millions of tax dollars for assistant attorneys general, legislative staff, Arizona Department of Transportation workers and driver's license testing facilities, but can't seem to figure out how to research and copy laws that have worked for years in other countries.

The solutions are simple, in my opinion.

Modify insurance laws:

If a kid riding a modified/unsafe e-bike is injured or causes damage or injury — no insurance.

All e-bikes must be registered with auto insurers.

Make parents personally responsible for injuries/damage caused by their child.

Electric bikes cannot be loaned.

When I was in grammar school in the 1950s to '60s, every police department had a bicycle safety program and training course.

More suggestions:

We have trails for everything in Arizona. Why not dedicate state and community parks for child electric bikes?

All electric bikes must be street legal. Police can issue a tag.

No children under 15 years allowed on streets or anywhere on electric bikes from sundown until sunup. Parent gets ticket, bike gets confiscated.

Mandate all children under 18 who ride motor-powered bikes wear a helmet.

Add bike safety to the Arizona Motor Vehicle Division manual and exam. There are bike lanes on our roads across Arizona.

In the late 1970s, I wrote the first parental responsibility law in Illinois. It was magic! When parents learned they'd get billed for their children's behavior, a lot of mischief stopped at no cost to the taxpayer.

Tell parents no insurance coverage, they must pay their kids' bills or ticket them with a fine and confiscate the e-bike, and they'll get the message.

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