Laguna Niguel student calls for countywide e-bike safety rules

A 12-year-old Laguna Niguel student is calling for Orange County e-bike rules that would restrict younger riders, require licenses and impose fines for unsafe or illegal riding. Alex Guess outlined the proposals in a community opinion piece published Friday by Voice of OC.

The proposal would pair countywide riding requirements with city-level funding for youth safety research, education and infrastructure. It is an advocacy effort, not a report of adopted rules.

According to Guess's Voice of OC opinion piece, the petition lays out five reforms. He argues that safety rules have fallen behind e-bikes' popularity and that riders need a better understanding of traffic laws and the risks associated with speed.

Guess proposes generally barring riders under 16, while allowing an exception for those with clean riding records who complete an additional safety course and use unmodified Class 1 e-bikes. Class 2 and Class 3 models would remain off limits to riders under 16 under his proposal.

The plan would also require manufacturers to install speedometers. Riders would need a county-issued license obtained by passing a test on road rules, according to the opinion piece.

Guess proposes a $160 fine for unsafe or illegal riding, with parents responsible when riders are under 18. The money would go to city-level youth safety funds supporting research, educational courses and infrastructure improvements.

Guess said the petition had drawn 1,485 signatures. He also reported support from nearly 98% of people who answer the door during his outreach, a figure describing those encounters rather than a representative survey.

Guess frames the campaign as an effort to prevent unsafe riding and strengthen education and accountability, rather than eliminate e-bikes. His opinion piece urges residents, parents and local leaders to support the petition.