E-bikes are e-verywhere.
They offer young riders independence. They save parents the hassle of driving.
Yet few young people — or adults — know e-xactly what’s legal. Or where.
This spring, members of the Westport Youth Commission’s E-bike Safety and Awareness group created a poster awareness campaign.
There are 2 goals. The first is to educate young riders on safe e-bike operating practices.
The second is to educate parents on which e-bikes their children are allowed to ride.
The first stage of the project has begun: a poster campaign targeting parents and youth alike.
One poster …
The Youth Commission has collaborated with the Police Department and Walk Bike Westport on this.
Three posters alert bike users to new laws; direct them to a website built by a member of New Canaan’s youth commission that addresses the issue, and educates bike purchasers about basic e-bike safe riding practices.
… a second …
The posters are being provided to doctors’ offices, schools, bike stores and the media. Yard signs are also being distributed .
The YAC has already begun discussing future plans. This fall, they’ll host biking events to promote e-bike safety and awareness.
But starting right now, remember: Ride safely. And legally.
… and third.
(“06880” regularly reports on Westport’s youth. Our future is in good hands. And this blog’s is too, thanks to reader support. If you’d like to help with a contribution, please click here. Thank you!)
Can we start a petition to ban them for kids under 18? One death is too many.
I observe in Westport and Fairfield,
kids riding the wrong way, kids doing wheelies and other tricks on the roads and side walks, scooters and e-bikes driving at high speeds on sidewalks, no helmets, no shoes or flip flops, over speed limits at beach including driving the opposite directions as cars at the beach. this list can also be applied to some expert adult bicyclists who do not regard stop signs and road directions.
Thanks, Dan, for bringing this issue to the forefront. I watched in fear recently as three young kids (12/14) jettisoned down Hillspoint Road – smack in the middle going probably at least the speed limit. From your poster it appears that they were motor driven cycles. Good to know the Town is on this issue!
I think the poster campaign is wonderful, but the first thing I noticed is that ebikes do not require a license or registration. When I moved to Fort Lee ,N.J. in 7th grade the town required that I get a license for my bicycle. They taught me the rules of the road for a bicycle and I had to take a test. Perhaps Westport (and all towns for that matter) should consider licensing bicycles. Just my two cents 🙂
Dan: Two things; one, was delighted to see the excellent feature about you in Westport Magazine. two: at Prospect gardens yesterday (my fave anywhere, and have met the owners/crew), the Staples Jazz Band was playing…an even bigger draw than the gardens. They need more “appearances”. Terrific.