KQED's Forum Why Marin Is Banning Kids From Riding Some E-Bikes
Sep 26, 2025
In this discussion, guests include Azul Dahlstrom-Eckman, a KQED news editor reporting firsthand on Marin's e-bike scene, Asha Weinstein Agrawal, an expert on transportation safety at San Jose State University, and Talia Smith, Marin County's legislative director. They explore Marin's landmark ban on fast e-bikes for riders under 16 due to rising accident rates. The conversation delves into e-bike classifications, safety concerns, and the unique challenges of regulating these devices while balancing convenience and youth appeal.
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Marin's E‑Bike Explosion And Crash Spike
- Marin County has a deep biking culture and saw an explosion of e-bikes including high-speed models during the pandemic.
- That surge coincided with a noticeable rise in serious crashes prompting local policy action.
Kids Disproportionately Hurt
- Emergency-room data in Marin showed a sharp increase in 10–15 year-olds involved in serious bike crashes.
- That age group experienced rates about five times higher than others for e-bike related 911 incidents.
Amelia Stafford's Case Spurred Action
- Reporter Azul highlighted a high-profile 2023 case where a teenager, Amelia Stafford, suffered a traumatic brain injury from a class two e-bike crash.
- Her near-fatal injury helped drive passage of Marin's pilot restriction on throttle e-bikes for under-16s.