The Carmel Fire Department is warning parents and kids of the dangers of electric bikes when used improperly. In a post on Facebook, firefighters say they are responding to e-bike crashes almost weekly, often involving children. Many of the crashes happen because kids are flying through intersections and riding faster than drivers expect.
โEveryday drivers are trained to look for vehicles, pedestrians, and traditional cyclistsโฆ. but a kid on an E-bike moving at 20โ30 MPH is showing up in places typical drivers are not expecting, much faster than anyone can anticipate especially on a sidewalk or pedestrian crossing,โ the post read.
Firefighters said recently there was a close call with a child on an E-bike as a fire engine left the station on an emergency call.
โThe driver looked both ways for cars and pedestrians, and out of nowhere a child zipped by on the sidewalk at nearly 30 MPH. It could have been disastrous.โ
Firefighters are urging parents talk to kids about safe riding, stopping at intersections, and wearing proper protective gear.
โSpeed may be fun, but it comes with serious risk.โ
