WATERTOWN, New York (WWNY) – Watertown police and drivers hope an e-bike violation crackdown will lead to safer roadways, while e-bikers argue motorists need to learn the rules, too.
“We can’t have people riding bikes and e-bikes on the sidewalks or disregarding traffic devices or just doing generally unsafe behavior,” said Det. Lt. Joseph Giaquinto of the Watertown Police Department.
Initiative follows recent collision
The crackdown looks to prevent incidents like Thursday afternoon’s collision involving a car and an e-bike on Arsenal Street.
As police investigate what happened and who was at fault, officers will soon be putting a special focus on enforcing laws pertaining to e-bikes, e-scooters, bicycles and almost any other motorized device. Riders seen breaking the law will be ticketed and fined, no exceptions. It’s part of a new safety initiative by Watertown Police.
Riders have mixed reactions
E-bike rider Ronald Mackey said he has mixed feelings about the initiative.
“Some of it’s going to be good… getting people off the sidewalk, not hitting pedestrians, but I’m afraid it’s going to cause traffic problems,” he said.
Mackey worries the initiative doesn’t address the other end of the problem — vehicle-caused accidents. Accidents like the one in March where an e-bike with the right of way was hit by an SUV, sending the e-biker to the hospital.
He says drivers need to learn the rules, too.
City councilmember supports effort
City Councilmember Doug Osborne has been vocal about the need to address e-bike safety in the city, and while he agrees that drivers and e-bike riders both need to understand and follow the rules, he still hopes this crackdown will be a good thing.
“I think we’re heading in the right direction and hopefully — again, you know, both motor vehicle operators and e-bike operators will follow the rules and everybody remains safe,” Osborne said.
Safety requirements for riders
Police say notable safety requirements are for riders to be at least 16 years old, they need to be on the sides of roads, not on sidewalks, and they need to be going no faster than 20 miles per hour.
Police say the initiative will happen in the coming weeks.
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