Kids younger than 14 years old cannot drive e-bikes by themselves in Buckeye, according to a new city ordinance.
Buckeye set minimum age requirements and restrictions on where people can use e-bikes and e-scooters.
The West Valley city joins a growing list that has passed ordinances that set minimum age requirements and restrictions on where e-bikes and e-scooters can be used.
Goodyear, Litchfield Park, and, most recently, Avondale passed similar ordinances this year. The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors will also hold a public hearing to consider whether to adopt restrictions as well.
The Buckeye City Council unanimously passed the ordinance on Oct. 7 after officials initially proposed and tabled it on May 19 for additional community input.
Since August, the Buckeye Police Department has held three community meetings where retirees, parents, children, and local business owners weighed in on how the city can prioritize the safety of the riders, particularly children, while also allowing them the freedom of riding a bike.
The ordinance will be implemented in three phases. Phase one will be an education campaign that takes place from October to November 2026. The second phase will be a warning period that takes place from November to December 2026. The ordinance will go into full effect after December 2026.
What is an e-bike? What is an e-scooter? What's regulated?
The new Buckeye ordinance sets definitions and age requirements for the different classes of e-bikes and what the city defines as an e-scooter and an e-mini scooter:
- Class 1 e-bikes are defined as bicycles or tricycles that have an electric motor that assists the rider's pedaling and can travel at a top seed of 20 mph. Riders must be at least 14 years old to ride class 1 e-bikes by themselves.
- Class 2 e-bikes are defined as bicycles or tricycles that can travel 20 mph on a motor alone. Riders must be at least 14 years old to ride a class 2 e-bike by themselves
- Class 3 e-bikes are bicycles or tricycles with motors that help a rider's pedaling. The bikes' top speed is 28 mph. Riders must be at least 16 years old to ride class 3 e-bikes by themselves.
- An e-scooter is a scooter that weighs less than 75 pounds and travels a maximum of 20 mph using an electric motor, human power, or both. Riders must be at least 12 years old to ride an e-scooter by themselves.
- An e-mini scooter weighs less than 30 pounds and travels at a top speed of 10 mph using an electric motor, human power or both. The ordinance does not set an age limit for e-mini scooters.
The parent or guardian can be cited if the rider is under the minimum age requirements.
The age requirements do not apply if a parent accompanies the rider who is under 16, according to the ordinance.
Can I do wheelies on my e-bike in Buckeye? Are helmets required?
Multiple passengers cannot ride on a e-bike or e-scooter unless the vehicle is designed for multiple riders, according to the ordinance.
Riders must keep one hand on their vehicle at all times, and they cannot grab onto a car as they ride their bike or scooter.
Riders under 18 years old must wear "a properly fitted bicycle helmet" when using an e-bike or e-scooter.
The e-bike and e-scooter must also have functional breaks, lighting during "hours of darkness," and an audible warning device. However, the ordinance stated that the bikes cannot have any devices that "emit excessive or disturbing noise."
E-bike riders are not allowed to "intentionally perform stunts" within crowded public spaces, pedestrian zones, and active roads. These stunts include wheelies (raising the front wheel off the ground), jumping curbs and structures, and drifting. They are also not allowed to use their phones while on the bikes.
Any rider who breaks these rules can face a $100 fine on the first offense, $250 if the second offense is committed within a year and a $500 fine with the vehicle being impounded if the third offense is committed within a year.
After the third offense, a person can be charged with a misdemeanor, up to six months in jail, a maximum fine of $2,500 and up to three years' probation, according to the ordinance.
David Ulloa Jr covers the southwest Valley communities of Avondale, Buckeye, Goodyear, Litchfield Park and Gila Bend. Reach him at david.ulloa@azcentral.com. Follow him on Instagram & X, formerly Twitter, @davidulloa_ii.
Like this story? Get more West Valley news straight into your email inbox by signing up for our free weekly West Valley Newsletter, which comes out on Tuesdays.
This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: This Arizona city will fine you $500 if your kid rides an e-bike
