BY THOMAS HARRIS
Los Alamos

Thursday, at around 11:00 a.m., I was cycling eastbound on Sycamore Street and then turned onto southbound Diamond Drive. As I did so, I observed no pedestrians or cyclists, respectively, on the sidewalk or in the bike lane. I had just crossed the Pueblo Canyon fill bridge with the intent to turn onto westbound Ridgeway. As a highly-experienced and accomplished cyclist, I maintain a high level of situational awareness when on two wheels. Apparently, however, my level of situational awareness was not high enough today! As I started to turn right on to Ridgeway, an e=bike passed me on the right at a high rate of speed (much faster than I was riding). Immediately thereafter, a second e-bike passed me on the right. Though startled, my quick reflexes prevented a collision and I did not have to swerve into the traffic lane. There are several issues highlighted by this incident.

First, the two e-bikes were clearly traveling on the sidewalk instead of the designated and unoccupied (other than by me) bike lane. E-bikes should not be driven on sidewalks. Second, the e-bikes were driving at an unsafe speed. Third, the drivers of the e-bikes gave no warning of their approach. (Because I had no reason–until now–to believe any type of vehicle would be rapidly approaching from my right, it never occurred to me to look over my right shoulder.) Finally, the two individuals riding the e-bikes were young men that were clearly not old enough to have driver’s licenses. And, based on their unlawful actions this morning, they have not been educated on how to drive these motor vehicles safely and responsibly.

E-bikes are becoming increasingly common in communities across the nation. Few locales have, thus far, regulated the use of these and other electric-powered conveyances (e.g., scooters, skateboards, etc.). And, there are few restrictions on the use of these electric-powered modes of transportation by minors (meaning, in this context, those too young to obtain a driver’s license which would provide some level of education on rights and responsibilities to travel roadways safely). If you as a parent (or other responsible adult) provide an e-bike (or scooter or e-skateboard) to a child that has not yet gone through formal driver’s education or other safety courses, it is your express responsibility and obligation to assure that child knows how to safely operate said vehicles. Failure to do so significantly increases the potential for injury or death and–further–subjects the responsible adult to financial liability.