As the use of electronic bikes continuously increases, it has sparked a series of concerns regarding the numerous high school students that use them as a mode of transportation to and from school.
Aliso Niguel High School requires students to obtain a permit if they are using their bikes on campus. To get this permit, the process includes watching a safety video in order to ensure individuals are aware of the precautions related to riding bikes that could be potentially a safety hazard.
Despite these school programs that try to educate students on safety precautions, many high schoolers still ignore the rules established by the school administration. Additionally, even if one does follow these guidelines, riding e-bikes can still lead to various issues without intentionally causing them.
The school traffic raises the dangers of riding e-bikes. As students rush to avoid getting stuck in traffic before or after school, some e-bikers that try to dodge these cars or move in the cars blind spots have resulted in multiple near collisions or mishaps.
There have also been instances where students do not have the proper equipment to handle an e-bike. Not wearing proper gear, such as a helmet, puts students at risk of harming themselves or receiving a ticket or a fine. Few students have been stopped by police officers in relation to them disobeying laws that require them to wear helmets, especially as a minor.
Keith Long, a proctor at ANHS, shares, “I see it everyday. Speeding, riding without a helmet, riding through traffic. It’s bad.”
When students choose to ignore the warnings from school staff to obey their demand, it puts their life at risk as well as other individuals on campus.
Since e-bikes can travel up to 28 mph, they can act as a more potential danger than normal bikes. While riding on sidewalks or on the street, there are constantly moving objects that students should be completely observant of.
Prohibiting riding bikes with more people than the bike is made for can limit the chances of one losing control.
Maya Auode (11) says, “I think that students who ride e-bikes at Aliso should be really careful. I’ve heard of crazy accidents that occurred at other schools in socal, so students should be aware that anything can go wrong at any moment.”
Recently this year, two students in Orange County hit a brick wall on their e-bikes while not wearing helmets. Although this was a more severe accident, there are multiple minor incidents that have occurred at ANHS that should be mitigated in order to prevent more serious conflicts from happening in the near future.
Keith Long also mentions, “They have to drive cautiously because if they get hit by a vehicle, they aren’t going to win.”
There may be a significant amount of rules and regulations surrounding e-bikes, however, these will ultimately ensure the health and overall well-being of students are protected. By educating oneself on how to properly be conducting an electronic vehicle, it will make transportation swifter and more safefor everyone.
