Instead of fixing potholes, adding protected lanes, or improving crossings, cities increasingly rely on fines to regulate e-bike riders. Enforcement becomes the tool of choice because it generates revenue and shifts responsibility away from public investment. Riders, especially those with tight budgets, absorb the cost in time, money, and stress. Mobility becomes a luxury for those who can pay, not a right for those who need it.

INFRASTRUCTURE VS PENALTY

Safe streets require design, not punishment. Proper lanes, traffic calming, and public education prevent accidents far more effectively than citations. Yet cities continue to invest in policing while letting infrastructure lag. The pattern isn’t ignorance — it’s a choice that favors enforcement over prevention.

WHO GETS HIT

Middle-class and low-income riders shoulder the burden. Fines and fees are proportionally more painful for someone earning hourly wages than for someone commuting in a car. Overregulation functions like a regressive tax: it extracts from those with the least while leaving wealthier road users largely unaffected.

THE ILLUSION OF CONTROL

Citations create the perception of safety without changing behavior broadly. Riders learn to avoid enforcement zones rather than unsafe intersections. Compliance becomes a survival strategy, not a safety improvement. The system rewards those who can navigate bureaucracy, not those who need protection.

THE HARD TRUTH

Fines aren’t safety policy — they’re a revenue mechanism disguised as one. Investing in streets, lanes, and public support would protect everyone. Overregulation prioritizes punishment over prevention, turning necessity into liability for the people who rely on bikes most.