EVERYONE is talking about E-bikes and kids

This article was posted on NextDoor during the week of May 22, 2023.  Another from the week of June 12, As the summer progresses, this topic becomes more relevant. The authors’ names are intentionally omitted.

Kids, e-bikes, and sidewalks in Excelsior.  Yesterday I was walking on Water St at around 6 pm between George St and 3rd when I was met with a group of middle-school boys on e-bikes riding on the sidewalk. I told them they couldn’t ride on the sidewalk here. The group sneered and dismissed this by announcing, in unison, that these were “class 2” bikes, and after some incomprehensibly mannerless behavior, they continued down the sidewalk toward Lake St, nearly running into pedestrians before darting onto Water St through parked cars and oncoming traffic. 

Here’s what I would love for us to talk about: 

1) Our kid’s safety, even rudely snotty middle-school boys, is hugely important. The e-bikes these boys were riding were the throttle variety, capable of devastating consequences if ridden carelessly. These kids were out on a sunny day having a great time. But they weren’t acting or thinking responsibly while riding vehicles that could seriously disable themselves or others. These bikes are capable of much faster acceleration and are 2-3x heavier than pedal bikes. If they hit something (or someone) they do so with a lot more force. They also weren’t thinking about how emerging from between parked cars into oncoming traffic isn’t just dangerous it’s deadly. 

2) These kids obviously had heard from someone, a parent, store clerk, or the internet, that riding e-bikes on sidewalks was legal. While that may be true in parts of Minnesota, it isn’t true in Excelsior, esp for much of Water St. The ordinance is attached below that defines the areas in Excelsior where e-bikes can not be ridden on the sidewalks. 

3) In MN “Class 2” bikes are NOT permitted for kids under the age of 15 (see below). This is one of the many reasons why e-bikes are not allowed at Minnetonka West Middle School. I asked if these boys were 15, and they weren’t. I get that retailers don’t tell anyone this and it seems super unfair that some parents have shelled out $500+ to give their kids a cool new bike that they aren’t legally allowed to ride. 

I don’t think that anyone really expects a bunch of 12-year-olds to do everything 100% legal 100% of the time, as long as they don’t seriously injure themselves or anyone else. But these young fellas didn’t seem like they cared who they could hurt. In their minds, they thought they were “allowed” to do it (which they weren’t) and who was I or anyone to tell them otherwise? So if your kid has an e-bike or you know someone who does, can you please forward the information below? I want our young people and parents to be able to make more informed choices. 

What you can do:

1. Read the author’s suggested article.
   
   
2. Learn more about Minnesota Law and ebikes.
   
   
3. Talk with your city leadership and law enforcement about your concerns…and expect some action.