As the warm weather and nice days are upon us, I have noticed a rise in the number of young kids and teens riding electric bikes. While these provide fun and recreation, I am alarmed at the number of young riders that I see driving them at high speeds down city streets, particularly the bikes designed to look like motorcycles or dirt bikes. Many of these riders are not old enough to have taken a driver’s education course, are not familiar with traffic laws, usage of city sidewalks or have very little safety awareness at important crossing such as intersections.
I see every day from my porch, kids zooming down the street or sidewalks and crossing intersections without regard for other traffic or pedestrians. I have also seen children driving laps in roundabouts through traffic at dangerous speeds.
I am concerned at how many riders are not wearing helmets or other safety gear. It is alarming that there are seemingly no adults around monitoring kid’s usage of these bikes and seem to be indifferent to the safety of their riders, other drivers, or pedestrians.
I’m afraid it will only a matter of time before a disaster happens. I hope that parents will teach their kids the proper usage of these bikes and remind them of the laws regarding proper public street and sidewalk usage and etiquette. I also hope that the local law enforcement agencies will monitor and enforce traffic laws as this is becoming a public safety concern.
Matt Richardson lives in West Fargo.