A new safety campaign aimed at electric bikes and scooters begins Thursday in Elk Grove, as police and city leaders respond to growing concerns about how students are getting to and from school.Elk Grove police say they’ve seen more riders on e-bikes, e-scooters and scooters in recent years and an increase in crashes.“We have seen an increase in kids, adults also riding whether that being scooters or e-scooters, e-bikes, etc., and we have seen an uptick in collisions,” said Sgt. Jason Jimenez with the Elk Grove Police Department.The initiative will run in two phases, starting with a 30-day education effort focused on students, parents and the broader community. Police say the goal is to make sure families understand what is legal to ride, what safety gear is required, and how to follow the rules of the road.“It is really about education ensuring that parents, most importantly, understand what their kids can and cannot ride legally, also properly being geared up with safety equipment that is necessary and required for some, and lastly … following the rules of the road,” Sgt. Jimenez said.Officers began outreach at 34 campuses, including Toby Johnson Middle School, where police handed out “rules of the road” pamphlets and spoke with students about safe riding practices. The city will also share safety messaging throughout Elk Grove during the education phase to boost awareness.After the 30 days conclude, police say they will shift to an enforcement phase with a zero-tolerance approach in and around school areas. That means officers will take action when they see illegal or unsafe operation of e-bikes and scooters, according to the department.Police emphasized the campaign is not focused on issuing tickets, but on preventing injuries and improving compliance.“Our goal here is to educate as much as we can,” Jimenez said. Elk Grove Police are asking parents and students to review the laws now, before enforcement begins 30 days from the start of the campaign. The department says the overall goal is to promote awareness, improve compliance and enhance safety for students and the community.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
ELK GROVE, Calif. —
A new safety campaign aimed at electric bikes and scooters begins Thursday in Elk Grove, as police and city leaders respond to growing concerns about how students are getting to and from school.
Elk Grove police say they’ve seen more riders on e-bikes, e-scooters and scooters in recent years and an increase in crashes.
“We have seen an increase in kids, adults also riding whether that being scooters or e-scooters, e-bikes, etc., and we have seen an uptick in collisions,” said Sgt. Jason Jimenez with the Elk Grove Police Department.
The initiative will run in two phases, starting with a 30-day education effort focused on students, parents and the broader community. Police say the goal is to make sure families understand what is legal to ride, what safety gear is required, and how to follow the rules of the road.
“It is really about education ensuring that parents, most importantly, understand what their kids can and cannot ride legally, also properly being geared up with safety equipment that is necessary and required for some, and lastly … following the rules of the road,” Sgt. Jimenez said.
Officers began outreach at 34 campuses, including Toby Johnson Middle School, where police handed out “rules of the road” pamphlets and spoke with students about safe riding practices. The city will also share safety messaging throughout Elk Grove during the education phase to boost awareness.
After the 30 days conclude, police say they will shift to an enforcement phase with a zero-tolerance approach in and around school areas. That means officers will take action when they see illegal or unsafe operation of e-bikes and scooters, according to the department.
Police emphasized the campaign is not focused on issuing tickets, but on preventing injuries and improving compliance.
“Our goal here is to educate as much as we can,” Jimenez said.
Elk Grove Police are asking parents and students to review the laws now, before enforcement begins 30 days from the start of the campaign. The department says the overall goal is to promote awareness, improve compliance and enhance safety for students and the community.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
