A 12-year-old from Laguna Niguel is pushing for changes to e-bike safety, and his efforts are already getting the attention of local leaders.

E-bikes have become increasingly common among kids Alex Guess’ age, but they have also led to serious injuries. Alex said he was seeing the risks firsthand, and this summer, he decided he wanted to do something about it.

The bikes are everywhere — on sidewalks, weaving through traffic and outside schools. And as e-bikes have become more popular with young riders, so have reports of kids getting seriously hurt.

“Two of my friends have gotten into serious e-bike crashes,” Alex said.

Alex said most of his classmates in Laguna Niguel own an e-bike, and he has watched many ride too fast, ignore rules and take risks.

“I felt like the thoughts and prayers were not enough. We need actual action,” Alex said.

So this summer, he took action. He started an online petition pushing for five changes:

A minimum riding age of 16

Speedometers

Licensing and a safety test

Fines that hold parents accountable

A youth safety fund supported by those fines

“A lot of people that I’ve talked to, when I go door to door, when I go canvassing, a lot of people support this,” Alex said.

He is also taking his campaign directly to local leaders, showing up at city council meetings across Orange County.

“I’m here to ask San Clemente, the San Clemente City Council, for a formal resolution supporting e-bike safety reform across Orange County,” Alex said during a council meeting.

Alex said he has already received support from elected officials in Laguna Niguel, Aliso Viejo, Irvine and San Clemente.

For his father, seeing his son take the initiative has been a proud moment.

“To see him go from door to door to speaking at city council meetings, several in our community so far. And it’s just been incredible,” said Michael Guess, Alex’s father.

Alex admits that not everyone, especially some kids his age, likes his ideas.

“In May, when I was sort of thinking about this, I pitched an unthought-out version of it, and it … it didn’t go well,” Alex said.

But he is not giving up.

He now wants cities to formally support his proposal and state lawmakers to consider allowing local communities to test e-bike rules.

For Alex, this isn’t about stopping kids from riding. He said it’s about making sure they are riding safely.

Assemblywoman Laurie Davies, who represents South Orange County, met virtually with Alex. NBC4 reached out to her about his proposal, and her staff said they look forward to working with Alex.