HONOLULU (KHON2) — As electronic bicycles continue to grow in popularity, and more types of bikes continue to hit the streets, efforts to regulate them continue.
City continues to warn public on electric Bicycle Safety
“We got to pretty much put everything in, condense it into one bill that would update terms, definitions that came out to be almost 20 plus pages of reform,” said Representative Darius Kila on Bill 952, a bill aimed to regulate e-bike usage and provide a clearer legal definition of e-bikes. “Ultimately, our hope this last session was to pass that noting the concerns of community across Hawaii alike.”
While Bill 952, which would’ve given a definition to high-speed electric devices, commonly called E-Motos, passed, it was vetoed by Governor Josh Green, citing legal issues and that it would conflict with the goal to reduce greenhouse gas usage.
Under current law, E-bikes have working pedals and don’t go over 20 miles an hour.
The higher speed E-Motos, however, are in a grey area with little regulation.
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“If it can’t be registered as a bike or a vehicle, it’s not registered to operate on our public roadways,” said Rep. Kila. “And this is what’s happening largely, is that you have the unregulated market of these influx of devices that look like bikes that are not, that can exceed well over 45-50 miles an hour.”
But while stories of electronic bicycles continue to flood the news, and officials continue to look to regulate them, owners and users of electronic bicycles are also advocating for safety on the devices, and assuring people that if used correctly, they can be safe.
“Hawaii, they recently opened up the red strip of legislation to have 750-watt bikes, which I think is good, because a lot of newer bikes, especially the cargo bikes coming out now, 750 is pretty much the standard,” said Ryan Jackson, e-bike shop 808eVentures owner. “I think it’s a great way to get around town, as long as you can get around safely, you can educate the drivers but also improve the bike infrastructure throughout the city.”
Jackson pointed out a few safety features that come with modern bicycles, including brake lights and blinkers.
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However, for now, Representative Kila says lawmakers will continue to work on legislation to tackle the misty definitions issue in the next session.
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