Speed limits, equipment checks and the importance of wearing a helmet were among the topics covered during the Covington Police Department’s first e-bike/e-scooter safety workshop on July 31. Along with the sometimes dry, but important, rules of the road covered in the classroom, the drivers course held in the courthouse parking lot that let riders learn even more while having fun.
“Our primary goal is to help kids to be able to ride safely through the city,” said Covington Police Chief Kevin Collins, citing an increase in accidents involving the popular bikes as an impetus to offer the classes.
The program hosted by the department’s Traffic Division opened with a few video clips about serious e-bike accidents from across the country and a personal testimony from resident Dan Fitzpatrick. He and his wife were struck from behind by a rider on an e-bike while walking home from the Krewe of Olympia parade in February. Both Fitzpatricks suffered broken bones and are still grappling with other injuries from the accident.
“In no way am I anti-e-bike. I own one myself. What I hope these classes will do is teach riders how to be safe and have fun, but not at the expense of public safety,” Fitzpatrick said.
Traffic division officers Matt Clanton and Gabe Peterson led the presentation, reviewing safety laws and best practices for riding e-bikes in traffic and reiterating the importance – and for people under 12 years of age the requirement – of wearing a helmet.
“You’re on the road with cars and trucks. That’s metal vehicles against skin and bones,” Peterson said. With e-bikes reaching speeds up to 28 miles per hour, Peterson expounded on the increased risk for serious injury from a crash at the elevated speeds compared to falling off a regular bike.
One participant was an in-house example of what could happen when an e-bike had an unexpected meeting with a car. Camden Cantrelle sat in the class with his arm in a sling, having broken it a month ago. He said he did not see the brake lights on the vehicle in front of him and rear-ended it. He and his friend Kade Mott paid rapt attention to what the officers had to say.
“I learned about the importance of signs and signals,” Camden said. His mother said he really enjoys his e-bike and has been fearless when riding.
“He watches a lot of safety videos now and rides his e-bike only on our property and our dead-end street,” Jill Cantrelle said.
After the classroom session was complete, participants moved to the courthouse parking lot where a series of test patterns formed by orange traffic cones were set up. The junior traffic academy riding course included a slow ride challenge, a weaving course, mock-up traffic intersection drills and an emergency stop exercise. While leading the session on their own e-bikes, it was evident that officers Clanton and Peterson had as much fun riding as the younger participants. All the students passed the driving course with flying colors.
In addition, the riders were reminded that e-bikes fall under the same hands-free rules that car drivers must follow concerning cellphones. They also recommended leaving ear buds at home.
“They take away from your awareness, and you need to know what is happening around you on the road,” Peterson said. Eye protection was also highly recommended, as dust and bugs can blind a rider in an instant.
Covington City Council member for District D Jimmy Inman and District B council member Blake Bushnell were instrumental in organizing the session in conjunction with the police department. Inman’s 10 years as a driver’s education instructor helped to motivate him to make these sessions happen.
“We want these classes to have a long-term application instead of short-term consequences,” Inman said while addressing the younger class participants. “While learning the rules of the road, we hope to help you to be safer when you’re riding now and that you will be better drivers when you get your licenses.”
The Covington Police Department plans to offer additional e-bike/e-scooter safety classes later this year.