OHIO (WKEF) — As more people take to bikes, scooters and e-bikes with school out and summer traffic picking up, police in Kettering and state lawmakers are urging riders and drivers to focus on safety and follow the rules of the road.
Officer Cynthia James, public information officer for the Kettering Police Department, said traffic typically increases once students are out of school.
“Naturally, traffic increases because all the kids are out of school. So any students who are driving are now out and about,” James said.
James said one of the most common issues she is seeing involves people crossing improperly, including riders using crosswalks in ways that are not allowed.
“It is usually people not crossing the street legally, whether that be they are riding their bikes and their scooters through the crosswalks, which you cannot do. Not only is it illegal, but that’s extremely unsafe,” Officer James said. “Cars have way less reaction time to avoid hitting you when you are on your bike or your scooter.”
E-bikes and scooters have also become a growing focus at both the local and state levels, with new legislation introduced in Ohio.
State Representative Andrea White, R-Kettering, said the push is driven by an increase in crashes and injuries involving young riders.
“There’s more accidents, more kids being injured,” White said. “We’re seeing a growing number of younger children using them. So what can we do to help keep kids safe?”
Rep. White said that there are three classes of E-Bikes:
Classes 1 and 2: can travel up to 20 mph and are generally allowed to be ridden in bike lanes. Class 3: can travel up to 30 mph, are allowed to be operated by those 16 and older and are not permitted to be used in bike lanes.
According to the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System, 15,121 minors were hurt while riding e-bikes, with injuries attributed to the vehicles’ high speeds.
White said House Bill 948 is intended to increase awareness and education for both riders and drivers.
“What are some helpful tips to keep me safe as a rider? And then for parents to also have information that they can use to help keep their kids safe,” White said.
White said the Ohio State Highway Patrol would complete a study six months after its passing to help guide decisions on how to regulate the vehicles. This comes as there is a debate over whether these modes of transportation should be regulated by the state or by local leadership. She said she believes that the best way to navigate the bill and what happens next is to hear from constituents on what they desire to happen and explained that the main priority at this stage is keeping children safe.
The bill is still under review, but in the meantime, Officer James offered tips to help you maximize safety while riding this summer:
Wearing a helmet Make sure you are visible and avoid wearing dark colors, especially at night. If dark colors are worn, it is best to wear reflective gear.Use the marked crosswalksDismount from your bike or scooter before crossing a crosswalk.Refrain from using headphones.Make sure to use hand signals to gesture when you are turning.