Mercer Island kids precariously roaming the city on their e-bikes/motorcycles has become a serious safety issue, according to the Mercer Island Police Department (MIPD).
In October, the city informed residents that MIPD received notifications regarding dangerous behavior on e-bikes and e-scooters around town, and that safety education for young riders was of utmost importance.
MIPD school resource officer Olivia Phan said that last spring, officers witnessed a sudden surge of kids riding e-mobility devices (including e-motorcycles). There are concerns with some of the behaviors they’ve regularly observed, including riders popping wheelies, speeding or even weaving around vehicles.
“That kind of clued us in, this is not a licensed driver, and this is likely not someone who is familiar with being on the road,” Phan said. “A lot of the kids look like adults. So when I myself am driving around, I can’t immediately identify that it’s a juvenile at times. So I think schools and other parents, they started to really raise the concerns.”
MIPD public information officer Lindsey Tusing said there haven’t been any e-rider-related injuries on the Island, but added that injuries are increasing regionally and nationally.
“It’s beginning to be studied that it is a huge concern for head injuries for kids with and without helmets. They’re traveling at a higher speed on a bicycle in traffic when that used to not be such a degree of speed,” Tusing said.
Regarding the injuries being studied, Tusing added: “I think we’re behind the curve a little bit. We will catch up if we don’t kind of get a hold of what we’re seeing.”
A city community notice said that if children are utilizing e-mobility devices, it’s important for parents to familiarize themselves with local laws and talk with their kids about safe and responsible riding.
“Many kids are also riding what they or their parents think are e-bikes, but are in fact electric motorcycles which pose additional dangers (and are often illegal),” the notice added.
Tusing noted that the community is also concerned and frustrated and some residents have contacted the city to see how they’re going to halt the dangerous activity.
It’s all about education on this team community mission, Tusing added.
Phan encourages parents to equip their child riders with the correct helmets and reflective gear and make sure that they’re purchasing a pedal-assisted e-bike that is limited to under 28 mph.
“We’re working very closely with the school district. The school district is very passionate about this, too. They’re going to be sharing out the same information to their emailing list that we’re sharing out,” Tusing said.
MIPD said it hasn’t issued any violations at press time.
In a three-pronged effort, the city of Mercer Island, MIPD and the Mercer Island School District are partnering to help educate riders, and officers are also conducting patrols to ensure safe riding in the community.
Some of their main educational bullet points are:
• E-bikes feature pedals, are assisted by an electric motor and have a maximum speed of 20 mph (when using only electric power) or 28 mph (with the rider pedaling).
• Electric motorcycles are powered by a motor and many do not have pedals; foot pegs or other brackets or supports are not considered pedals. Any e-bike that provides assistance beyond 28 mph is classified as an electric motorcycle and specific laws apply.
• According to the city’s website, e-bikes reaching 20 mph can be ridden anywhere traditional bikes are permitted — including mixed-use trails, bike lanes, and roads — unless otherwise noted. E-bikes reaching 28 mph can be ridden on roads and paved trails that allow motorized vehicles but are not allowed on soft surface trails, sidewalks and shared-use paths. E-bikes cannot be ridden on trails marked as non-motorized and trails with a natural dirt surface, including the Bike Skills Area, in Pioneer Park, or anywhere where posted signs prohibit motorized vehicles.
“Parents may also be unaware that the minimum age for some e-bikes is 16 due to their safety risks,” the website adds.
Speaking during the public appearances portion of the Nov. 19 Mercer Island City Council meeting, local resident Kim Florence described what she’s witnessed in the e-mobility realm on the Island.
“What I have observed is many kids riding their e-mobility devices, meaning e-scooters or e-bikes, in an appropriate and safe manner. I have also observed many kids riding their e-mobility devices in an unsafe and even illegal manner,” said Florence, who is a mother to three kids and member of the MIPTA Council advocacy committee.
Florence noted that she’s observed kids riding without helmets, cutting off cars to make left-handed turns, riding without reflective clothing after dark, riding too fast on sidewalks and in the middle of rush-hour traffic and more.
“I personally very nearly hit a child who was riding an e-scooter in the dark without reflective gear on the wrong side of the road. Someone is going to get hurt,” said Florence, adding that the MIPTA Council recently passed a resolution and asks the Mercer Island City Council, “to act in a timely manner to introduce and enforce common-sense ordinances to ensure student safety while using e-mobility devices.”
For more information, visit: https://www.mercerisland.gov/publicworks/page/e-bike-and-e-scooter-safety
