Some Bluffton residents say e-bike riders pose a threat to pedestrians and bicyclists along many of Bluffton’s walking trails by riding improperly.Charles “Chuck” Valentino, secretary of Lowcountry Bike/Walk Advocates, said he often encounters riders who ignore the rules and speed on the path. “At the speeds that they’re going, they’re a danger to pedestrians and bicyclists,” Valentino said. “Recently, I was involved in a near miss on this pathway, and I was almost hit by an e motor bike.”Joseph Babkiewicz, chief of police for the Town of Bluffton, says he’s seen an increase in calls and reports regarding e-bike crashes. “Just recently we had a young man get hit by a vehicle, driving his e-bike,” Babkiewicz said.He said e-bikes have become popular among kids. “We’ve had people call us just about a group of, kids driving around on e-bikes, and they’re a concern for them,” Babkiewicz said.South Carolina law classifies e-bikes as electric-assisted vehicles that travel under 20 mph. Vehicles that exceed 20 mph qualify as mopeds and require special permitting for riders 16 and up. “You actually have to have a license to drive these, if they go over 20 miles an hour,” Babkiewicz said.Valentino says riding over the speed limit is far too common along the trail, taking it upon himself to call on local leaders for change. “I’ve been working with the local town council to get an ordinance in place for restricting these motorbikes on the pathways and nothing’s been done. It’s been going on five months, and nothing’s been done,” Valentino said.WJCL 22 News contacted Mayor Larry Toomer several times for clarification and is still waiting on a response.For now, residents like Valentino say the bikes are a concern for people of all ages. “Kids are seeing other kids ride them and they want to, you know, be with other kids,” Valentino said.Chief Babkiewicz said Bluffton police encourage families to understand the risks of e-bikes, promote helmet use and teach safe riding.To learn more about each state’s electric bike laws, click here. To obtain a moped permit, click here.
BLUFFTON, S.C. —
Some Bluffton residents say e-bike riders pose a threat to pedestrians and bicyclists along many of Bluffton’s walking trails by riding improperly.
Charles “Chuck” Valentino, secretary of Lowcountry Bike/Walk Advocates, said he often encounters riders who ignore the rules and speed on the path.
“At the speeds that they’re going, they’re a danger to pedestrians and bicyclists,” Valentino said. “Recently, I was involved in a near miss on this pathway, and I was almost hit by an e motor bike.”
Joseph Babkiewicz, chief of police for the Town of Bluffton, says he’s seen an increase in calls and reports regarding e-bike crashes.
“Just recently we had a young man get hit by a vehicle, driving his e-bike,” Babkiewicz said.
He said e-bikes have become popular among kids.
“We’ve had people call us just about a group of, kids driving around on e-bikes, and they’re a concern for them,” Babkiewicz said.
South Carolina law classifies e-bikes as electric-assisted vehicles that travel under 20 mph. Vehicles that exceed 20 mph qualify as mopeds and require special permitting for riders 16 and up.
“You actually have to have a license to drive these, if they go over 20 miles an hour,” Babkiewicz said.
Valentino says riding over the speed limit is far too common along the trail, taking it upon himself to call on local leaders for change.
“I’ve been working with the local town council to get an ordinance in place for restricting these motorbikes on the pathways and nothing’s been done. It’s been going on five months, and nothing’s been done,” Valentino said.
WJCL 22 News contacted Mayor Larry Toomer several times for clarification and is still waiting on a response.
For now, residents like Valentino say the bikes are a concern for people of all ages.
“Kids are seeing other kids ride them and they want to, you know, be with other kids,” Valentino said.
Chief Babkiewicz said Bluffton police encourage families to understand the risks of e-bikes, promote helmet use and teach safe riding.
To learn more about each state’s electric bike laws, click here. To obtain a moped permit, click here.
