HOW SAFE ARE E-BIKES AND SKATEBOARDS?

 As if our roads weren’t dangerous enough already, there’s a new generation of “personal mobility vehicles” (PMV) silently swishing around our streets for us to worry about:  electric scooters and skateboards.

The scooters (about $1400) can go 30 mph.  The skateboards (about $700) top out at 32 mph).  But following simple instructions on the web, the speed governor can be disabled allowing even faster speeds…up to 60 mph.  That modification is illegal in Connecticut.

Only ONE rider per device

Many adults and kids use this new gear responsibly.  Parents love them as it gives their kids mobility (meaning less chauffeuring).  But even at slower speeds these vehicles are dangerous, their riders unprotected in the event of a fall or collision. 

In July a 15-year-old in Trumbull was killed on his e-bike when he was hit by a car.

That’s why new laws are coming in Connecticut October 1^st regulating these devices.

If your e-scooter has no pedals (so it’s not a moped) and a motor over 750 watts (allowing speeds over 30 mph), you’ll need a driver’s license. 

E-bikes with motors over 3,500 watts (meaning speeds over 50 mph) must be registered and insured like a motorcycle, and a motorcycle endorsement is required on your license to ride them. 

Unless the scooter is built for two seats, passengers are not allowed.  And e-bikes of all types are not allowed on sidewalks.

It is illegal to operate any motorized vehicle with a seat lower than 26 inches on public roads. That includes many of the smaller scooters and mini-motorbikes that are often marketed toward children.

Everyone on an e-bike or skateboard under the age of 18 must wear a helmet.

E-skateboards are not allowed to drive faster than 20 mph.  Riders must be at least 15 years old but the vehicles do not need to be registered if under that speed limit.  Local laws may be stricter for safety.  Best to ask your Police Department.

If all of these new regulations seem confusing or overly  restrictive, read the recent Op-Ed by State Rep Tracy Marra which started with the eye-catching headline… “I saw your kid almost die today”.

Increased mobility is great.  But safety must always come first.

If you’re a driver you already know how disconcerting it can be when these e-devices come hurtling along, almost silently and without notice.  But you’re the one driving a ton of steel, so give them their space.

Can law enforcement keep up with all this?  Should they be responsible?

As one First Selectman said the other day:  “It’s not a good thing to have police chasing after ten, eleven and 12 year olds on bikes and ticketing them.  I’m not anxious to take a police officer away from other enforcement operations.”

What’s the answer, if not enforcement?  Education and parental responsibility.

There’s no way teens can afford these e-bikes on their allowance money.  They’re obviously being purchased by parents, happy to get out of squiring them around from school to dance class to the Y.  Those parents should be responsible for making sure their kids are safe… and legal.

We all love our kids, right?