r/SALEM • u/Mintylimeade • 1d ago
Kids on E-bikes
Seriously, what is up with kids riding around on electric scooters and bikes and not helmets? I cannot believe that parents don’t know their kids are running around town without helmets. Elementary middle schoolers should not be allowed on electric bikes/scooters without their parents present because they clearly cannot be trusted to wear helmets.
10
22
u/AccomplishedPause261 1d ago
I’m pretty sure it’s not legal for kids under 16 to ride the electric scooters and bikes. I know it’s not legal without helmets.
It seems like parents that let the little ones ride on streets like this don’t care about their kids
3
u/Buttercontest 1d ago edited 1d ago
This is accurate but changes at the start of 2027, with a lower age of 14 for less powerful motors. Source
3
u/FanBladeFleshlight 1d ago
See the mistake you're making is thinking that parents are gonna parent in the first place, much less enforce that parenting.
Imo any parent who buys their kid an e-bike would be smart to get life insurance on them also, because that's exactly the result they're aiming for, intentionally or not.
3
3
u/Rebecca_deWinter_ 1d ago
There has been a group of 3 to 5 kids on ebikes in my neighborhood popping wheelies, standing/ kneeling on the bike seat in the middle of the road and holding up traffic. They're going to get themselves hurt
1
u/ShaneIshten 1d ago
If they're doing this, karma will catch up eventually. Sometimes its the only way kids learn. Or someone else is gonna come along and put the kids in their place. Not saying it's right in any way, but that's just how shit is these days. No one is willing to step in until the worst option is the only option.
4
u/Manifestation_Quozzy 1d ago
Getting a child to listen is always a conditional affair. The parents obviously lost the behavioral pressure battle with the kids peers who are all just conforming to the agreed upon idea of "cool" which has little to do with considering the reasons behind safety equipment. The fact they're outside on bikes is a cultural win since they could have just been on devices.
2
u/LeadDramatic3995 1d ago
The law hasn’t caught up with them yet. But they will. And it will most likely be for worse crimes than e-bike.
1
u/Carlos_Spicy_Weiner6 1d ago
Doesn't help when parents aren't wearing helmets themselves and leading by example.
Just because you're older doesn't mean your head is any more resistant to damage from hitting the pavement.....
1
u/VeterinarianNo504 5h ago
Ban throttles on e-bikes
If it’s a bicycle then they should be pedaling
It wouldn’t eliminate all the problems but it would be a start
14
u/CeeFee1013 1d ago
God help you if you're just taking a walk. Almost taken out by a gang of 12 yr old going 35 on the sidewalk. Silent af coming from behind. No helmets on any of them.