MnDOT and DPS tell Senate committee youth e-bike use is growing and recommend education, labeling and data collection

MnDOT and the Department of Public Safety presented a joint study to the Minnesota Senate Transportation Committee on April 8, summarizing findings on youth use of electric-assisted bicycles and recommending education, clearer labeling and improved data collection. Hannah Pritchard of MnDOT said the study was asked for by the Legislature in 2024 to "identify safety challenges, evaluate legal authority to reduce modifications to e bike motors, recommend changes to state law, and develop educational and public awareness resources."

Pritchard described Minnesota’s three-class e-bike system and the statutory parameters: an electric-assisted bicycle must have operable pedals, a motor of not more than 750 watts, and class-based speed limits (class 1 up to 20 mph, class 2 with throttle, class 3 up to 28 mph). "If you're trying to identify an e-bike, you should look for pedals, power, and speed," she said. The presenters stressed the practical difficulty that consumers and enforcement officers face distinguishing legal e-bikes from higher-powered devices (often marketed online) that lack pedals or exceed power/speed limits.

The study recommends a multi-pronged response: a public education campaign and point-of-sale disclosures so buyers and caregivers know what they are purchasing; law-enforcement palm cards to help officers identify classes and what is legal; barrier-reduction measures such as rebate programs to expand access to higher-quality bikes; and more consistent trail/facility rules permitting e-bikes where conventional bikes are allowed. Mike Hanson of the Department of Public Safety said a one-pager and an officer palm card will be distributed to law enforcement partners in the coming weeks to help identify lawful classes and where they can be used. "We've developed a palm card for officers to carry with them that will tell them how to identify, what class is this, who can ride it, where they can ride it, and if it's even legal," Hanson said.

Presenters warned that available crash data are limited and recommended mandatory crash reporting and other measures to help separate injuries tied to legal e-bikes from injuries caused by high-powered, often illegally marketed devices. MnDOT emphasized weighing e-bike risks against alternatives: heavier faster bikes can increase crash severity, but they also replace trips that otherwise might be taken by automobile. The study and materials referenced in the presentation are available on MnDOT’s legislative studies website.