In response to the surge in electric bicycles and accidents, the Irvine City Council has passed new regulations requiring all electric bike riders to be at least 16 years old and wear a helmet.
Additionally, each electric bike must be registered with the police department, and riders are required to familiarize themselves with traffic safety guidelines.
As electric bicycles become more popular, they have become a common mode of transportation in Irvine's Chinese-American community, particularly among residents and students.
According to Bryan Liu, a North American automotive designer, many teenagers use electric bicycles to commute to school or for recreational outings.
Electric bicycles are often seen parked outside schools, parks, and along the beach.
Some parents have also opted for electric bikes to pick up their children or go shopping, appreciating the convenience and lack of parking concerns.
However, the rapid increase in the use of electric bicycles, combined with a lack of regulation, has posed safety risks to the community.
During a public safety forum hosted by the South Coast Chinese Cultural Center and the Irvine Police Department, several community representatives raised concerns about the dangers posed by electric bicycles.
Many riders, in an attempt to avoid traffic, have been speeding on sidewalks, creating hazards for pedestrians.
Statistics show that in the past two years, the number of traffic accidents involving electric bicycles in Irvine has doubled.
The Irvine Police Department highlighted this surge during a city council meeting, noting that the increasing number of accidents reflects the potential risks associated with electric bicycles, especially when riders fail to follow traffic rules.
In response to the growing concerns about electric bicycle accidents and their impact on public safety, the Irvine City Council has enacted new regulations aimed at ensuring traffic safety.
According to the new rules, electric bicycle riders must adhere to the following requirements when riding in the city:
- Riders must use designated bike lanes.
- Riding on public walkways or open areas is prohibited.
- The maximum speed limit for electric bicycles is set at 28 mph.
- Riders must yield to pedestrians and other vehicles while on the road to maintain traffic order and ensure pedestrian safety.
The Irvine City Council stated that the newly passed electric bicycle regulations will be adjusted based on the effectiveness of law enforcement and ongoing community feedback.
To support these new regulations and respond to concerns from local residents, the Irvine Police Department will increase patrols and enforcement around high schools, major thoroughfares, and park areas, with officers focused on pedestrian walkways to ensure the safety of all residents.
面對電動自行車輛與事故激增，爾灣市議會通過新法要求: 電動自行車的騎士必須年滿16歲並佩戴安全帽，另每輛電動自行車也需要在警察局註冊，並要求騎士瞭解交通安全指南規範。
隨著電動自行車普及與流行，在爾灣的華人社區，已經成為居民和學生最喜歡使用的交通工具。
根據北美汽車設計師Bryan Liu觀察，許多青少年都騎電動自行車上學、出遊，包括學校、公園的圍牆外和海邊，到處停滿電動自行車，也有不少家長選擇騎電動自行車接送孩子、購物，因為無需擔心停車問題，十分方便。
唯因電動自行車的普及，缺乏規範，也對社區民眾造成安全威脅。多位社區住戶代表即在日前由南海岸中華文化中心和爾灣市警局共同舉辦的警民面對面治安論壇中提出，為閃避汽車，愈來愈多年輕學子在人行步道上騎電動自行車，甚至高速騎駛，讓行人飽受安全威脅。
根據統計，過去兩年中，爾灣市涉及電動自行車的交通事故，已經翻了兩倍。爾灣警察局在市議會上說明，電動自行車所引起交通事故的激增，充分顯示電動自行車在使用過程中的潛在風險，特別是當騎士未能遵守交通規則。
為因應電動自行車輛與事故激增，對交通甚至民眾人身安全造成的衝擊，爾灣市議會通過新法來規範電動自行車的使用，確保民眾交通安全。
根據新法規定，電動自行車騎士在市區騎駛，必須遵守以下幾項要求，包括 : 必須在專用自行車道騎駛、禁止在公共開放區域騎駛；車行時速不得超過28英里；另駕駛者需要在駕駛過程中禮讓行人和其他車輛，確保交通秩序和行人安全。
爾灣市議會表示，新通過電動自行車規範，將根據警方實際執法效果與交通狀況做調整 ，為配合新法通過與社區居民的要求，爾灣市警方也在各高中外圍、重要幹道與公園周遭的人行步道加強巡邏、攔停規勸甚至取締，確保市民交通安全。