One of Ronald Reagan’s best quotations described the nature of government: “If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it.” It reminds us of California governments’ approach to e-bikes. The state has viewed them as a boon that could reduce our dependence on automobiles and by extension help meet its climate goals. The latter expectation is overstated, but e-bikes are a great trend in mobility.
More than half of all car trips are under three miles, so these cost-effective electrified bicycles provide a useful alternative. They also are particularly beneficial for children and teen-agers, who can get to school or around town without relying on their parents. Until recently, the state even subsidized e-bike purchases, but wisely pulled the plug on that costly and overburdened program. We like e-bikes, but people should buy their own.
But getting back to Reagan, governments can’t help but overregulate the same technology that they’re so eager to promote. For instance, Irvine recently passed a preliminary e-bike law that strikes us as needlessly heavy handed. It’s the latest Orange County city to do so. The Irvine rules, per the VoiceofOC, would impose speed limits, higher fines, potential impoundment and rules that hold parents responsible for illegal riding by their children.
Related Articles
Editorial: California needs local housing fee reform Editorial: Drought is over, but state sets Sites on storage Editorial: Climate measure highlights failure of bond spending Editorial: Matt Mahan, a ‘back-to-basics’ Democrat, enters the governor’s race California lawmakers can’t resist writing performative legislation The state has a host of e-bike laws and keeps passing new ones. There are legitimate concerns that localities need to handle, namely dealing with riders who drive at high speeds on sidewalks. But police can simply enforce existing state law. We can’t understand why Irvine is passing anti-modification rules when state law already forbids such tampering. A more positive approach would be to provide more bike lanes for riders.We don’t have a problem with cities enforcing some sensible rules and reminding e-bike riders that they have a responsibility to be respectful of pedestrians and those who use traditional bicycles. Still, we worry that in their zeal to regulate, cities are tamping down on the core benefit of these e-bikes: providing people with that wonderful freedom of travel.
Hence then, the article about editorial irvine should go slow on e bike rules was published today ( ) and is available on The Orange County Register ( Middle East ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
Read More Details
Finally We wish PressBee provided you with enough information of ( Editorial: Irvine should go slow on e-bike rules )
Also on site :
- Europe’s cyber agency blames hacking gangs for massive data breach and leak
- The Trump Dictatorship Is Cracking Up
- Miami lands blue-chip quarterback for 2027 class