E-bikes And Scooters Raising Safety Concerns As Iowa Kids Head Back To School
Kids across Iowa will be heading back to school next week, and many in private schools or in Illinois are already back in school. And local officials are worried about the influx of e-bikes and scooters zipping around school zones.
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"School commutes are now more complex than ever," said Brian Ortner, spokesman for AAA – The Auto Club Group. "Drivers aren’t just watching for students on foot and children getting on or off school buses. They're also sharing the road with e-bike and e-scooter riders. When you combine that with distracted driving and speeding, the consequences can be devastating."
As e-bike and e-scooter popularity continues to climb, more students are expected to use these devices for the daily trip to and from school. That makes it increasingly important for riders and motorists to understand how to safely share the road.
“These devices are not toys,” said Ortner. “E-bikes and scooters can travel at speeds that catch riders and drivers off guard. As e-ride usage increases, so have the number of serious injuries and deaths. If your child plans to e-ride to school, we encourage parents to teach safe riding habits before the first day.”
The Auto Club Group developed the E-Ride Ready campaign to help families make informed decisions about e-bikes and e-scooters. Consumers can download AAA’s free E-Ride Safety Guide for an overview of e-ride classifications, helmet standards, and guidance for safe riding habits.
As students prepare to ride to school, AAA reminds e-riders to:
- Know local e-ride laws, including age requirements, helmet rules, and where e-bikes and e-scooters can be ridden
- Wear a properly fitted helmet that matches the speed and capabilities of the device
- Obey traffic signals, signs, and speed limits, especially at intersections and crossings