A few years ago, state lawmakers passed legislation to subsidize e-bikes for Minnesotans, arguing at the time the motorized bikes would make car-free transport more accessible. Now, the Legislature is considering a bill to implement new safety regulations on e-bikes, citing a recent surge in injuries.
Doctors at Regions Hospital in St. Paul say they’ve tracked an 800% increase in hospital admissions related to e-bike accidents since 2023. Kids and teens made up about one-third of those patients in 2025.
Lawmakers aren’t calling on e-bikes to be banned; rather, they want to see more regulations in place. Some proposals on the table include requiring helmets for riders under 18, registration for e-bike owners and licenses for sellers, with fines for any violations.
While e-bikes have their critics, they also have their fans, who say they are an efficient and cost-effective means of travel, with basic e-bikes ranging in price from $500 to $1,000.
Mark Hanson, the director of the Minnesota Office of Traffic Safety, agrees e-bikes have their benefits, but he would like to see more laws around them. During a Senate hearing earlier this month, Hanson told lawmakers some models have advertised speeds of up to 70 mph.
“So identifying who can use them, what the safety equipment requirement is, what the maximum speeds are and how do we identify what this thing is when are officers are out there looking?” Hanson said.
The House Ways and Means Committee is set to take up the matter on Monday, but time is running out to move bills through committees, as the regular legislative session wraps up in less than a month.
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