Valley cities have seen a surge in collisions involving electric bicycles, or e-bikes, as the vehicles have gained popularity. The Gilbert Town Council is looking at potential options to reduce related injuries.
When logging bicycle collisions, Gilbert police do not differentiate between e-bikes or traditional bikes. Last year was the first year the town saw a downward trend in bike collisions.
But 2024 also saw more juvenile crashes than adult collisions, reversing the town’s normal trends.
“There’s more adults in Gilbert than there are juveniles, 70% adults, 30% kids," Assistant Gilbert Police Chief Michael Angstead.
On Tuesday, Angstead told Town Council members he believes that trend reversal is due to more kids using e-bikes. Some can approach speeds of 30 mph.
"These electric bikes are emerging as a public health hazard. E-bikes are faster with minimal effort, reduced reaction time, certainly, easier loss of control, and then the faster speeds result in deadlier collisions," Angstead said.
Council members called for further discussion on implementing helmet requirements for children and improving bike lane infrastructure.
