A bill to regulate e-bikes like normal bikes, rather than cars or mopeds, sponsored by Rep. Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg, unanimously passed the House on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019.
A bill to regulate e-bikes like normal bikes, rather than cars or mopeds, sponsored by Rep. Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg, unanimously passed the House on Wednesday, Feb. 20, 2019.
BOISE — The Idaho House of Representatives unanimously agreed Wednesday, with no debate, that electric bicycles should be regulated like normal bikes, not cars or mopeds.
The bill, sponsored by Rep. Doug Ricks, R-Rexburg, would clarify in Idaho code that e-bikes are not mopeds or motorcycles, and they will have to follow all existing bicycle laws and rules of the road.
As e-bikes become increasingly popular across the Treasure Valley, Ricks saw a problem with how they were being classified and regulated. Under current law, e-bikes are seen as motor vehicles, requiring them to have license plates, licensed drivers, turn signals, insurance and more. However, that’s not enforced.
“They look very similar to a normal bicycle, sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference,” Ricks said. “They’re quite fun to ride.”
Although e-bikes can be pedaled, they also have small electric motors for assistance. The bill, HB 76, would allow cities and counties to pass their own e-bike regulations and doesn’t add any additional regulations on e-bike use, Ricks said.
Similar laws have been passed in several other states, and have yet to pose any problems. Fourteen other states have e-bike laws pending this year, including Wyoming and Oregon, the Post Register reported.
“The bill is pretty simple … I think this is a great bill,” Ricks said. “I think it’s one all of us can get behind.”
Savannah Cardon is the Caldwell reporter for the Idaho Press. Follow her on Twitter, @savannahlcardon, or reach her at 208-465-8172.
