The Environment President is in favour of changing the legal age to use an electric bike as low as 11.
Deputy Adrian Gabriel told States members yesterday his personal view was to open up the legal use of e-bikes to 12-year-olds or secondary school age children – down from the current minimum of 14-years-old.
But he said it hasn’t been discussed with his political colleagues on Environment & Infrastructure and would need to be approved by a majority.
The new idea came in response to questions from Deputy Lindsay de Sausmarez who asked if the law could be changed due to a “very significant” increase in bicycles at schools, including e-bikes, which have “revolutionised” the school run.
Deputy Gabriel said the heavier weight of e-bikes would need to be considered, but indicated that the States wouldn’t need to approve any change as it could be done by E&I through a statutory instrument.
It comes just weeks after Bailiwick Law Enforcement raised the alarm that they have identified many youngsters in the island illegally using electric bikes, and parents buying them for their children.
It said a liaison officer was working with schools to educate children on the legal requirements.
Deputy Gabrield said Traffic and Highway Services has a “full complement of bikeability instructors” who could educate children on their safe use should the law be changed.
But he was resistant to a request to investigate an east to west cycle and walking route from Deputy Aidan Matthews saying its proposed route would cross too much private land to make it worthwhile.
Deputy Gabriel also noted concerns from Education President Deputy Paul Montague about road safety concerns around schools, particularly Haute Capelles Primary.
He said improvements would be based on data collection while also pointing to the successes of various school streets rolled out around the island which restrict heavy traffic during drop-off and pick-up times.