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Why Marin is Banning Kids From Riding Some E-Bikes

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A bicyclist rides an electric bicycle along the Mill Valley Bike Path in Mill Valley on Aug. 5, 2025. (Beth LaBerge/KQED)

Airdate: Friday, September 26 at 9AM

Marin County is known as the birthplace of modern mountain biking and it has long had a robust cycling culture. But lately, motorized e-bikes – some that go over 50 miles per hour – surged in popularity, especially with young people. A rise in serious bike accidents involving children and teens prompted county officials to ban anyone under 16 from riding the fastest e-bikes – the first ban of its kind in the state. We’ll talk about the prevalence of e-bikes, Marin’s attempt to regulate them –  and why some Bay Area riders need to slow down.

Guests:

Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, news editor, KQED

Asha Weinstein Agrawal, professor and researcher, Mineta Transportation Institute at San Jose State University

Talia Smith, legislative director, Marin County

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