E-biking has made its way to Laguna Beach, and it has become a prevalent mode of transportation for teens and pre-teens in Laguna. However, are they too dangerous for our youth, or even legal? The state of California views any e-bike with a battery that can produce over 750 watts of power or has any modifications to increase its speed as illegal. California also requires all E-Bikes to be in a “Class 2” mode, where the bike cannot surpass 20 mph on battery power alone, but, many of these laws, are seldom enforced and have not proved to be deterrents to the riders of these high-speed Electric Bicycles and much less to the greedy corporations manufacturing them. In Laguna Beach, it is even more of a problem with our tourist-packed streets and the Pacific Coast Highway being the only way to exit Laguna. Can we expect 12-year-olds  who have not taken a state-standardized driver’s education course to navigate our streets with the appropriate care and caution? I interviewed a Laguna Beach local by the name of Mark, who has seen firsthand reckless disregard for the rules of the road at the intersection right next to his house on Cress. When discussing his opinion on the safety of electric bicycles in Laguna Beach, he shared that “3 out of 4” blow through the stop sign into the 4-way intersection adjacent to his home.

I then asked Mark if he had ever observed close calls where blowing the stop sign almost led to an e-bike accident, and he expressed his concern for teens riding these bikes.

“Not every day but certainly every other, it is not a playground, there are cars going very fast, and if you get hit with just a flimsy helmet on, there’s a good chance you’re gone,” Mark shared.

However, the alternate perspective needs to be addressed; many Teens and Parents in Laguna Beach do not have time to drive teens everywhere, and it is one of the only viable modes of transportation for those without a driver’s license. With the large number of steep incline hills, one cannot be expected to use a bike solely powered by pedaling, same with walking. Laguna is far too spread out to be easily traversed on foot. Even so, with such disregard for the rules and a lack of definitive and enforceable legislative action, right now, the danger does not make up for the convenience. Nevertheless, I do believe there may be a safer path forward, and with police departments putting an increased emphasis on education and the importance of safety for young Electric cyclists,  we will eventually be able to share the road without fear.