To the Editor;
Allow me to express my thoughts and concern with the proliferation of e-bikes in our neighborhood and the kids (children?) who ride them.
I don’t believe I fit the profile of your typical angry neighbor but after several impromptu conversations with others I have come to the conclusion that we’re ignoring an avoidable tragedy waiting to happen. I write in the hope that your attention to the issue might change some minds and hopefully any future event.
In recent weeks I and others have been brushed (buzzed?) by e-bike kids whose intent appears to be to get as close to someone as they can – may be in an attempt to frighten or intimidate them. I’ve experienced this twice myself while walking our local trail and my neighbors, several of them elderly, have reported the same.
I’m hoping something (enforcement?) can be done before something really bad happens. The bike riders appear to be riding in groups of 5 or more and often encroach on pedestrian spaces where their speed becomes a hazard to walkers and the elderly.
Parents, I can only assume you purchased these bikes for your kids. Who will bear the ultimate responsibility for their injury or injuries inflicted by reckless riders?
Thank you,
Lari R. Branch/Walnut Creek
About a dozen of the little delinquents in downtown Walnut Creek last night. They made things fun.
It’s a tragedy waiting to happen. I got a couple of videos of e-bikers running through red lights at Brook St and Moraga Rd. And also going against traffic at well over 25 miles/hour.
My husband was nearly taken out by a group of boys on e-bikes as we were walking next to the curb in Pleasant Hill on Morello, between Paso Nogal & Chilpancingo, in an area where there are no sidewalks (how is it legal not to have sidewalks at this point?!). Clearly, buzzing pedestrians w/ e-bikes is a thing (SICK!!!). The laws need to be changed & enforced before someone is seriously injured or killed. E-bikes should require a Drivers License, a helmet, & registration of the bikes. If those ineligible for a Driver’s License (under 16) ride an e-bike, they should have to take classes, pass a test, & carry a special license, plus wear a helmet, ring a bell to alert people they’re coming, & bikes should have speed regulators so they can’t go faster than a conventional bike. E-bikes are basically small motorcycles: they need to be regulated accordingly!
I agree. I grew up in upstate New York in the 1980’s. Big family, lots of kids and no one was allowed to drive my parents cars. They both worked and there were just too many of us and not enough cars. So we bussed it or rode our bikes. However, my dad did eventually buy 2 small mopeds that had a top speed of 30mph. We were only allowed to ride them to work, had to wear a helmet and they required a “learner’s permit” drivers license (age 16 minimum). Since they only went 30 mph, we had to act like a car if on a road with a 30 mph speed limit. If the speed limit exceeded that. we had to stay towards the road’s shoulder. No sidewalk or trail riding where pedestrians might be. Rules here in California should follow suit.
Its an opportunity for teens to practice responsible riding. Passing walkers is startling, they should know this. These bikes are awesome, I can see how they like them. The paved trails and Bart they can go anywhere.
E-bikes are small motorcycles so when I go for a walk (with my husband or friends) I find an out of the way place where there aren’t any. I grew up in this area and with google maps, I do what I have to do. The Bay Area is overcrowded and gone are the days where vehicles, pedestrians and bikes (including E-bikes) mix. I can’t control the actions of others, but I can certainly change my own ways, so my life isn’t cut short.
As usual I feel someone is going to have to be hurt before proper attention is given to this issue.
I just hope someone isn’t run over coming out of a store.
Thank you.
Ebikes and scooters are a huge problem in Danville/Alamo as well. It’s a rich person problem here. Parents buying their kids these toys, and the kids speeding down on the sidewalk many times even though there is a separate bike lane because they feel less safe sharing the shoulder with cars. Instead, they try to share the sidewalk with pedestrians. It’s already resulted in a few accidents. So, now, parents are liable for their kids riding these things improperly, such as on sidewalks. Hopefully, we see more responsibility taken by the parents.
Walking in Briones used to be a peaceful time but with these guys looping to ride Hank and Frank repeatedly, it’s a different experience. Don’t they get tired of it?