Children under 14 would be banned from riding e-bikes on Michigan's public roads, sidewalks and trails under a bill state Sen. Jim Runestad announced Wednesday, Sept. 9, with plans to formally introduce it Thursday, Sept. 10.

Senate Bill 1156 would also require riders ages 14 to 18 to carry written parental permission and wear a helmet. Violations could bring fines and other penalties, according to the Michigan Senate GOP announcement.

Runestad, a White Lake Republican who represents District 23, said the bill responds to a string of crashes involving minors on high-speed electric two-wheelers in Oakland County.

"They aren't the traditional bicycles that I rode when I was a kid," Runestad said, according to Patch. "These bikes can have way too much power for young children to be able to manage."

The legislation follows two serious local incidents. On Monday, Sept. 7, two 13-year-old Bloomfield Township boys were critically injured when the electric motorcycle they were riding together was struck by a Ford F-250 pickup at Telegraph Road and Hickory Grove Road. Bloomfield Township Police Lt. Nick Soley told WXYZ that witnesses believe the truck driver had a green light. The driver, a 35-year-old Rochester Hills man, remained at the scene and is cooperating with investigators, WXYZ reported. One boy was wearing a helmet; the other was not, police said. As we reported Tuesday, both boys were listed in critical condition.

Bloomfield Township police classified the vehicle as an e-moto, a category that is supposed to be limited to private use and requires a license for street-legal operation, Fox 2 Detroit reported. Under Michigan law, motorized two-wheelers that exceed 28 mph are considered mopeds or motorcycles and may require registration.

On Aug. 6, a 12-year-old Rochester Hills resident was seriously injured after crashing an unregistered electric motorcycle into a parked pickup truck near Dorfield Drive and Briston Drive, according to Oakland County 115. That motorcycle was advertised as capable of exceeding 45 mph. The child was wearing a bicycle helmet, not a motorcycle-rated one.

Rochester Community Schools responded to the trend on Tuesday, Sept. 8, adopting a policy requiring students to walk e-bikes and e-scooters on school property, ClickOnDetroit reported.

Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard called on lawmakers to address the full range of electric two-wheelers. He told Fox 2 Detroit on Sept. 8 that confusion over three classes of e-bikes leaves parents unaware of the speed and legal requirements tied to what they are buying.

Runestad's bill is not the only proposal in Lansing. State Rep. Phil Skaggs is sponsoring House Bill 6166, which would limit e-bikes to one rider at a time, cap travel speeds, mandate helmets and require riders under 17 to pass a written test, WXYZ reported. Skaggs called the effort bipartisan.

No committee assignment or hearing date for SB 1156 has been announced.