Myrtle Beach committee looks to regulate electric bikes as they gain popularity

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WMBF) - As they continue to gain popularity -- people may see more electric scooters and electric bikes on the streets now than they did a few years ago.

But as more people rent and purchase them, city of Myrtle Beach leaders said they have a responsibility to keep both riders and non-riders safe.

“(E-bikes are) getting more people riding bikes, they’re getting people to ride bikes who otherwise probably wouldn’t and they’re giving people on bikes for longer and getting them further,” said CJ Walters, owner of Boardwalk Bikes in Myrtle Beach.

Walters tells WMBF News in the three years his shop has been open, interest in E-bikes has skyrocketed.

“It’s gone from you see some E-bikes here, you see some E-bikes there, to now E-bikes are coming up and competing with regular bike sales,” said Walters.

But, with this popularity comes more questions about safety. Walters sits on Myrtle Beach’s Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Subcommittee, where members want to come up with a class system for E-bikes. It’s something cities like Charleston and Charlotte have already done.

“What exactly is an E-bike? where should it be allowed? under what conditions should it be allowed?” said subcommittee member Bill Macfarlane.

Members said creating a class system for E-bikes is a top priority, but they are also keeping electric scooters in the back of their minds.

Subcommittee member Kathy Winfree works with over 1,000 J1 students who come to Myrtle Beach every summer. She tells WMBF News that many of them have bikes, but have also started to express interest in scooters.

“My concern is that scooters are becoming popular and there’s not enough information there for the students, so my goal is to actually build a brochure in those orientations to make sure they know the safe routes, make sure they know all of the safe things also,” said Winfree.

Members said as they establish a class system for E-bikes, they will add scooters into the mix as well.

There is currently no timeline for when this will be completed.

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