HR5265-119

What This Bill Does

The SAFE Ride Act creates a federal grant program for state electric-bike safety programs. To qualify, a state must enforce safety requirements for shared electric bike systems, run public education on helmet use and safe riding, support helmet safety laws modeled on national standards, collect electric-bike accident data, require shared mobility operators to report accident data by demographic group to the Secretary, and support local law enforcement implementation. States must also provide grant funding or guidance to local law enforcement to address unsafe underage riding, including penalties, impounding unsafe vehicles, and public outreach. The Transportation Secretary must establish national standards recommending helmet use for riders under age 18, curricula on electric-bike use and helmet safety, and program guidelines. The bill channels money to states that build a safety, data, education, and enforcement system around e-bike use.

Who Benefits and How

State transportation agencies benefit from federal grant eligibility when they operate qualifying electric-bike safety programs. Underage electric-bike riders benefit from helmet-use standards, safety education, and enforcement against unsafe riding. Local law enforcement agencies benefit from state grant funding or guidance for underage e-bike enforcement and outreach. Public health departments benefit from better electric-bike accident data by demographic group.

Who Bears the Burden and How

Shared mobility operators must report electric-bike accident data by demographic group to the Secretary. State transportation agencies must enforce shared e-bike system rules, collect accident data, and administer qualifying programs. Local law enforcement officers must implement penalties, impoundment, and outreach for unsafe underage riding if states use the program. Department of Transportation staff must write national standards, curricula, guidelines, and grant rules.

Key Provisions

• Creates DOT grants for states with electric-bike safety programs.
• Requires qualifying states to enforce shared e-bike safety rules and collect accident data.
• Requires shared mobility operators to report accident data by demographic group.
• Funds or guides local law enforcement responses to unsafe underage electric-bike riding.
• Requires national helmet-use standards, safety curricula, and program guidelines.