Originally Posted by linberl

Where I live, in the Bay Area, it is almost always "kids" on ebikes that have been derestricted or just go too fast that are the problem. That means the problem is actually parents who are the ones paying for these ebikes. They can't say no to their kids and then don't supervise them. Make them 18+ and confiscate and fine massively any parent who buys one for a younger kid. Unless a kid has a disability, they do not need an e-bike to ride to school and on sidewalks. Buy them a dirt bike and take them offroad if they have that interest but kids in America are badly out of shape and riding a regular bike should be the only cycling option until the frontal lobes are fully formed. Actually, I'd be fine with not selling them to anyone who isn't willing to sign a legal declaration that the user will be 18 years old +. Set the parents up for criminal charges. Not a lot different than handing kids a gun to use unsupervised; both can injure and kill. I'm sure that seems extreme, but kids are allowed to ride on sidewalks in many jurisdictions and the laws don't distinguish between bikes and e-bikes in that regard.