Do Minnesota Cell Phone Laws Apply to People Riding E-Bikes

This past weekend it was warm, people were out on their bikes cruising around, walking around and so forth.  But there were also a bunch of kids on e-bikes too.  The issue is this, they did have helmets on, not sure if that is required on an e-bike or not, but what I really noticed was the fact that the kids were talking/texting on their phones while riding around.  This was on 10th Avenue in Waite Park.  The road that goes past Menards and up to the China Star Buffet on Division.

KIDS ON EBIKES RIDING AROUND NOT PAYING ATTENTION AND ON PHONES

This seems super sketch as this stretch of road is pretty busy.  So it got me thinking, does the hands-free cell phone law apply to e-bikes too? After a little research I found out that no, those rules do not apply.  Why?

WHAT IS THE LAW SURROUNDING PHONE USE AND AN EBIKE

From the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota:

In Minnesota, the state's strict Hands-Free Cell Phone Law strictly applies only to operators of motor vehicles. Because electric-assisted bicycles (ebikes) are classified legally as bicycles rather than motor vehicles, you are not legally prohibited from using a handheld phone or texting while riding

IS THIS SOMETHING THAT SHOULD BE LOOKED AT AGAIN

That's why.  And it seems like thay should be revisited.  These bikes can go up to around 30mph just coasting around.  I know that there are some racers that also get up to those speeds, but let's be honest.  Those people are adults, they are trained (probably) and they are focused on the race.  Not what's on their phones.  Maybe an age limit for phone use?  I'm not sure what the right answer is here, but it seems odd.

Have you seen these e-bikes around with kids on them on their phones?  They don't seem to pay attention to anything other than their phone - same with the car.  It's a little scary.

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