MAILBAG: Parents, Think Twice Before Putting Your Child on an E-Bike

As a Monsey resident for more than 50 years, I have watched our community grow from a quiet town into a thriving and bustling population center. Along with that growth has come something many of us experience every day: crowded roads, heavy traffic, and increasingly aggressive driving habits.

Gone are the days when one could travel from Viola Road and Route 306 to Evergreen in just a few minutes. Today, drivers routinely pull into major roadways and block traffic while waiting for an opening, run stop signs and red lights, make turns from the wrong lanes, and even drive on the wrong side of the road to bypass long lines of vehicles.

For many years, I rode motorcycles recreationally. I was properly licensed, my motorcycles were registered and inspected, and they were equipped with all required safety features, including headlights, turn signals, brake lights, and a horn. I also wore full protective gear, including a helmet, armored jacket, and protective boots. Yet despite taking every precaution, I eventually stopped riding because the roads had become too dangerous. Aggressive and distracted drivers were simply too great a risk.

That is why I am deeply concerned when I see bochurim and young people riding e-bikes and scooters throughout Monsey. Unlike motorcycles, many of these vehicles lack basic safety equipment, and riders often wear little or no protective gear. Too frequently, they ignore traffic signals and stop signs, weave between vehicles, and assume drivers see them.

As any experienced motorcyclist knows, one of the most dangerous assumptions you can make is believing that every driver sees you. Even on a large, brightly lit motorcycle, I learned to wait several seconds after a light turned green because someone might still run the red light.

The reality is that accidents involving two-wheeled vehicles are not a matter of if, but when. Even when a rider follows every rule, all it takes is one distracted driver making a left turn or pulling out unexpectedly.

Parents need to understand this reality. If you would never encourage your child to ride a motorcycle because of the dangers involved, why would you place them on an e-bike or scooter in today’s traffic conditions? In many ways, these riders are even more vulnerable.

This is not simply an inconvenience for motorists. It is a serious safety issue that places young lives at risk every day.

Parents, please think carefully before allowing your children to ride e-bikes and scooters on Monsey’s crowded roads. The consequences of one mistake, whether by the rider or by another driver, can be life-changing.

— A.L., Monsey

The views expressed in this letter do not necessarily represent those of Monsey Scoop. Have an opinion you’d like to share? Send it to us for review.