WASHINGTON (BRAIN) — A bi-partisan group in Congress has introduced the Safe SPEEDS Act, which would create federal standards for low-speed electric bikes and e-motos. PeopleForBikes says the bill is "a significant step forward in addressing the increased use of currently unregulated products like electric dirt bikes cross the U.S."
Jenn Dice, president and CEO of PeopleForBikes, said the bill would direct the Consumer Product Safety Commission to gather and analyze data about incidents involving the many e-mobility products under its jurisdiction, and adopt clear classification and labeling requirements for these devices, including consideration of the three recognized classes of low-speed electric bicycles.
"This legislation marks important progress towards understanding and mitigating the hazards posed by e-motos, the higher-speed electric motorized vehicles that are sold as off-road electric dirt bikes, but often end up being inappropriately used on public roads by young riders," Dice said.
PeopleForBikes is supporting the legislation, as are other industry and advocacy groups, including the League of American Bicyclists, the National Bicycle Dealers Association, Safe Routes Partnership, Consumer Reports, Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
The bill was introduced by Reps Dave Min (D-CA), Jared Huffman (D-CA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), and Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA).
