Additional bike racks added this school year behind the portables are creating a loss of interest for students to get their driver’s license. Many say that riding their E-bikes are more time and cost efficient than trying to get their driver’s license.
In a couple of interviews many students state that riding their E-Bikes is more thrilling than driving a car. Most also say that it is much safer than driving because you do not go as fast.
Many students are not able to study for their drivers license because of their tight school schedule and after school activities.
Students are also tired of the long traffic lines before and after school and would much rather ride right through the traffic. The traffic usually takes 30 minutes to clear out in a normal vehicle, but while riding E-Bikes entering in and out of school only takes minutes.
E-Bikes also eliminate the risk of car crashes or large accidents. Roughly 61 percent of motor vehicle incidents are caused by 16 year old drivers. It is stated that it is 2.9 times more likely for teens to be in a car crash than drivers over the age of 20.
Supervisor Keith states, “E-Bikes are more accessible to the kids, causing them to not have to get their driver’s license, unless they have a car waiting for them, it is far too expensive to buy a new one.”
Many students complain about the high cost of cars and would rather ride their E-Bikes. Some students have their permit but are not able to drive because they don’t have access to a car.
A student at Aliso Niguel High School, Prabhav Dixit comments, “I have my permit and would like to drive but my family only has one car, because of that I am not able to drive. It does not affect me much, I love riding my E-Bike, especially with friends.”
Trying to get a drivers license is very tedious and pricey, having to pay upwards of $400 for driving lessons. Most do not want to wait months to drive and would rather get their Driver’s License after turning 18 years old.
In California 44 percent of people fail their first permit test, which demotivates most teens from trying again.
Troy Lightbody (12) comments, “I failed my first permit test when I was 15, I think I’m just going to wait until I turn 18 to try again so I don’t have to wait the six months.”
The average used car is around $34000, while the Average E-bike is only $2000. Which means a car is 17 times more expensive than an E-bike.
Gas prices also play a large factor in the decision to get a drivers license. Gas prices have been on the rise ever since Covid-19, the average being a little over $5 a gallon. Many students would rather save money charging their E-Bikes for mere cents instead of paying hundreds for gas.
The cost-efficient and quick alternative to driving is riding an E-Bike, nowadays getting a driver’s license may be a waste of time with tight schedules. Student’s have finally found a way to save time and money with their newly acquired E-Bikes.
