A bill that would improve safety regulations for e-bikes and their more powerful counterpart known as e-motos is heading to the House floor for a vote.
"We've seen an 800% increase in their both usage, and unfortunately accidents on them over the last couple of years, so I think this is fitting."
Thats' Republican State Representative Tom Dippel (Cottage Grove) who authored on a bill that would classify e-bikes from motorcycles. It came after one of his constituents was injured after being hit from behind causing a severe traumatic brain injures.
The driver of the vehicle was 14-years-old, highlighting the dangers of these motorized bikes. Dippel's bill would categorize these vehicles as electric motorcycles and regulate them in much the same way as motorcycles with combustion engines.
There were questions about what kind of vehicle it was, which Rep. Dippel says matters when it comes to law enforcement and insurance.
"And what are the ramifications to the individual that was injured? How are they made whole? Through insurance or medical expenses and all the other layers that come in these very tragic incidences," Dippel explains.
The House Ways and Means Committee approved the bill, as amended, and sent it to the House Floor.
"What this bill does is it addresses the electric bicycle classification and the electric motorcycle classification, and it clarifies that for all parties involved," Dippel adds.
There's still no word on when the vote will be taken as the legislature races to finish their work over their last few weeks.
The bill would:
- amend the definitions of motorcycles, off-highway motorcycles, micromobility devices and motorized bicycles;
- authorize motorized bicycle registration with both the Department of Natural Resources for operation as an off-highway motorcycle and the Department of Public Safety for operation on public roads; and
- make changes in dealer licensing, regulations and bonds.
