Senate committee advances bipartisan e-bike bill that defines vehicle classes, funds safety coordinator and education campaign

The Senate Finance Committee on May 12 recommended passage of Senate File 3236, a bipartisan package aimed at clarifying the law and improving safety as electric bicycles and other micro-mobility devices become more common in Minnesota.

Senator Johnson Stewart, sponsor of the bill, said the A9 amendment would "contain bipartisan proposals to more clearly define categories of vehicles, provide consumers better information, help law enforcement understand and ensure safety on our roadways and sidewalks, and gather better information about the impact of e-bikes and dangerous and illegal e motors on Minnesota roads." The amendment as presented includes definitions for micro-mobility devices, motorcycles and motorized bicycles, helmet requirements for operators under 18, expanded accident-reporting and traffic-law changes, and prohibitions on certain motorized bicycles from shared-use paths.

Miss Boyd reviewed a spreadsheet tied to the amendment showing appropriations from the Active Transportation Account: an item listed as $121,027 and $10,119,000 a year thereafter for a motorized-bicycle safety coordinator position; a one-time $200,000 for a public-education campaign on e-bike safety; a one-time $26,000 for IT updates to crash reporting; and a one-time $2,000 for driver's manual translation updates connected to helmet provisions.

Committee members pressed on definitions (how scooters, e-bikes, motorized bicycles and motorcycles are distinguished), retroactivity of labeling, headlight and lighting requirements, penalties for minors, and insurance/ liability. Staff and the sponsor pointed senators to the statute’s existing definitions (section 169.011) and said the amendment narrows the expansion to electric-power operation and is intended to educate rather than punish owners of older purchases.

Senator Pratt questioned whether the coordinator position — funded at roughly $121,000 including fringe — is necessary; supporters said mayors, police chiefs and local leaders in both small and larger communities requested help educating law enforcement and collecting crash data.

Staff took a roll call on the A9 amendment and the bill as amended; the chair announced there were 10 ayes and 0 nays and the motion prevailed. The committee recommended the bill, as amended, to pass.

Next steps: The bill will proceed to the full Senate for further consideration.