Gov. Green signs order cracking down on nonconforming e-bikes
Gov. Josh Green has issued an executive order asking the state Department of Transportation to develop rules related to the use of nonconforming e-bikes and high-speed electric vehicles on school campuses.
Green also encouraged the state Department of Education to set and enforce policies to prohibit students from bringing nonconforming e-bikes onto public school campuses.
“Even one death due to a crash is unacceptable,” Green said in a statement. “As of today, we’re at 93 people dead, with a disproportionate amount of the dead being pedestrians, bicyclists, motorcyclists, or moped riders.”
E-bikes are regulated in Hawaii and allowed as low-speed electric bicycles with a 750-watt motor limit. E-bike riders are supposed to follow the same laws as bicycles, staying on the right side of the road.
The state said electric bikes exceeding these limitations are considered electric motorcycles and subject to different laws, including licensing, insurance and motor vehicle registration.